2011 - Sandown, New Hampshire

Annual Report of theSoutheastern New Hampshire Hazardous Materials DistrictRichard HartungSelectman, HampsteadChairman, Board of DirectorsChief Thomas McPherson, Jr.Windham Fire DepartmentChairman, Operations CommitteeAbout the District:The Southeastern New Hampshire Hazardous Materials Mutual Aid District’s membership iscomprised of 14 communities, covering of approximately 350 square miles with a population ofover 175,000 people within the Route 93 corridor. In June the Town of Atkinson, Board ofSelectmen voted to withdraw from membership of the District, reducing the membership to 14communities. Essentially the District is bordered in the east by Route 125 and the MerrimackRiver to the west. North and south borders are defined by Manchester, Route 101 and theMassachusetts state line. The District was formed in 1993 to develop a regional approach indealing with the increasing amounts of hazardous materials being used and transported withinthese communities. This District is recognized by the State of New Hampshire as the RegionalEmergency Planning Committee (REPC) for the member communities. The REPC whichconsists of representatives from local government, industry, and the general public is workingwith industry to comply with federal regulations for the reporting of chemicals used within andtraveling through the District.The District draws its funding from an annual assessment from each community as well as fromgrants and donations. The 2011 operating budget for the District was $112,156.00. Additionally,in 2011 the District applied for and received federal grants for equipment, training, andoperational expenses totaling $157,297.00. The Fire Chiefs from each of the membercommunities’ make-up the Operations Committee of the District. This Operations Committee isoverseen by a Board of Directors consisting of elected representatives from each community,who approve the budget and any changes to the bylaws. The Executive Board of the OperationsCommittee, which consists of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Technician TeamLiaison, and one Member at Large, manages the operations of the District within the approvedbudget. The District employees a part-time REPC Director to manage the administrationfunctions of the District, including grants management, financial management, and emergencyplanning.123 118