NH Business Review April 24, 2020

APRIL 24 - MAY 7, 2020 VOL. 42 • NO. 8 • $1.75

ONLINE @ NHBR.COM

Inhospitable times

FEATURED INTERVIEW

Q&A: WWII veterans William F. Cronin Jr. and Warren Pond PAGE 30

Ominous signs for NH’s healthcare providers PAGE 22

Retirement in the age of coronavirus

As warmer days approach, tourism industry wonders when life will return to normal

PAGE 20

Before its shutdown, 40% of NH firms got PPP loans Banks scurried to meet demand as program’s renewal awaited

PAGE 8

Photo by Allegra Boverman

Nothing personal, but ‘don’t come here’ How social distancing is changing NH real estate norms

BY PATRICK O’GRADY

Bonnie Miles has been selling real estate for 35 years and has seen just about everything, but she never envisioned the day when she was not invited to a property closing.

Miles, with Coldwell Banker in Claremont, had two closings scheduled in early April and was told not to come to either one.

“The buyer was to go in and do their part. Then the seller would go in and do

their part,” Miles said, explaining how one closing was completed.

Marc Drapeau, In the other closing, the seller president of the New completed the paperwork with Hampshire Association of Realtors, talked to members their lawyer in Claremont and about the state of the then sent the envelope overnight current market in a to the closing company in the UpYouTube video. per Valley.

“They told me, ‘Don’t come up here,’” said Miles, who has been working REAL ESTATE NORMS, PAGE 13

BY BOB SANDERS

When the federal Payroll Protection Program essentially ran out of money on the morning of April 16, ending the $349 billion forgivable loan program in less than two weeks, it was a bit like musical chairs: Would your business be one of the 1.6 million to get their loan approved before the music stopped?

Bedford-based Great NH Restaurants got 10 approvals, for each of its various T-Bones, CJ’s Western Grill and Copper Door restaurants. The money landed in its bank account the day after Easter.

Yankee Publishing Inc. in Dublin — parent company of NH Business Review — got a $1.25 million loan approved, but at deadline has yet to see a penny.

Kilwins, a sweets shop in downtown Portsmouth, hasn’t heard a thing, even though the PPP LOANS, PAGE 11

2

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

IN BRIEF

How much will feds reimburse NH for jobless payments?

In other words, when a restaurant shut down — due to the New Hampshire’s unemployment trust fund has been drained by about pandemic or for any other reason — its were entitled to col$30 million since the corona- lect unemployment. Therefore, the state must pick up the virus crisis began — enough tab. If, however, they were self-employed, they would be elito spark a tax increase on gible under the new rules, so the federal government would businesses next quarter, if eventually pay for it.

Those new rules, particularly involving self-employed indifederal help does not arrive soon both in terms viduals, are delaying the state payout, Lavers said. Another of cash and in terms of major holdup is those who worked in other states last year, NASHUA REGION LAKES REGION UNTRY since the federal system that keeps track of that has crashed changing the law.

The state would have due to the unprecedented volume nationwide, Lavers said.

State officials are lobbying the federal government to been paying out more than it has but won’t be- change the rules, or perhaps change the law, so that the fedcause the federal govern- eral government would cover more payments.

But in the meantime, the state unemployment trust fund ment will reimburse it for BUSINESS TECH, ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, HOSPITALS, BANKING, PERSONAL FINANCE, ENERGY some of the money. But New dropped from $299.5 million on March 13 to $270.5 million OW: FEATURE STORY AND JUMPS, IN BRIEF, FLOTSAM, LAW, OPINIONS, THE LATEST, ABOUT TOWN Hampshire appears to be currently on April 15.

W: REAL ESTATE + CONSTRUCTION, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, TOURISM, NEWS, CHARITABLE GIVING, MORE ONLINE on the hook for most of it.

While the drain could be alleviated when federal reimW: AREA GRAPHICS, another TOURISM choice, CALENDAR, LAST WORD Through April 10, four three weeks after the coronavirus bursement arrives, it should be accelerated when claims go crisis began, the state paid out $31.7 million for some 114,000 down more smoothly, and especially once the added weekly unemployment claims. $600 payments contained in the CARES Act go out.

Department of Employment Security Deputy CommisThe payouts would essentially be more than double the sioner Richard Lavers said the federal government is only size of claims, though that extra money would be fully responsible for 40% of the amount already paid. That’s be- reimbursed by the federal government as well — eventually cause 60% is traditional unemployment insurance, paid to Still, said Lavers, “at the rate we are paying benefits, it people who were eligible for state benefits before both the would deplete the fund.” He added that the state could state and the federal government expanded eligibility in re- borrow from the federal government interest-free, but that sponse to the pandemic. would not be a desirable outcome. — BOB SANDERS

Falvey steps down as Bank of New Hampshire CEO Paul J. Falvey has resigned as president and chief executive officer of the Bank of New Hampshire, citing personal reasons for his departure after leading the financial institution through three years of growth.

Bank Vice President Michael Seymour told The Laconia Daily Sun that until a permanent successor is found, Falvey will be replaced by Michael J. Long, a member of the bank’s board of directors and the retired president and chief executive officer of Community Guaranty Savings Bank in Plymouth. That financial institution was acquired by the Bank of New Hampshire in 2016.

Falvey resigned April 10, effective immediately, and plans to relocate from Gilford to southeastern Massachusetts to be closer to family, Seymour said.

Falvey leaves during a time when the coronavirus pandemic has created tremendous uncertainty throughout the economy along with great demands on the bank as its employees work around the clock to administer Payroll Protection Loans backed by the federal Small Business Administration.

“Everything going on in the world

causes all of us to reflect a little,” Falvey said. “I came to the bank with a mission to really improve the bank in a number of ways. We really have achieved that. In a number of respects, the bank is in great shape and is performing very well.

“We grew up in the South Shore.

We thought this was a good time to relocate and let another leader come in right now.”

He said he’s proud of what the bank has accomplished during his tenure and plans to take at least six months to consider other possible opportunities.

“The bank is in terrific shape in all respects,” he said. “It’s a good time for me to step away.”

— THE LACONIA DAILY SUN

Realtors survey: Buyers, sellers pulling out of market Homebuyers are putting off buying and homesellers are putting off selling, and it has gotten worse in the last two weeks, according to a new survey by the New Hampshire Association of Realtors.

But the rapidly deteriorating situation was not reflected fully in March sales data, which includes transactions before the economy was shut down due to the coronavirus.

Some 684 homebuyers and sellers responded to a Realtors’ survey on April 8, down from the 872 who answered an identically worded survey just two weeks after the governor issued his stayat-home order closing all nonessential businesses (including real estate until the group lobbied for an exemption). But the response to both surveys was much greater than usual.

In the latest survey, 69.3% of buyers decided to delay looking for a property, compared to 63.4%, two weeks before, while 63.5% of sellers postponed bringing new listings to the market, compared to 51.4% two weeks before.

Indeed, nearly 16% of sellers removed their listing altogether, up from 11.7% previously. It was business as usual for only 13%, down from 22.3%.

— BOB SANDERS

Ernesto Burden Vice President/Publisher eburden@mcleancommunications.com, ext. 5117 Jeff Feingold Editor jfeingold@nhbr.com, ext. 5118 Liisa Rajala Associate Editor lrajala@nhbr.com, ext. 5158 Bob Sanders Staff Writer bsanders@nhbr.com, ext. 5136 Mista McDonnell Business Manager mmcdonnell@nhbr.com, ext. 5114 Jodie Hall Creative Services Director jhall@nhbr.com, ext. 5122 Nancy Tichanuk Senior Graphic Artist ntichanuk@mcleancommunications.com, ext. 5116 Robin Saling Graphic Artist rsaling@nhbr.com, ext. 5124 Kimberly Lencki Advertising Sales Director klencki@mcleancommunications.com, ext. 5154 Karen Bachelder Sales Executive kbachelder@nhbr.com, ext. 5148 Cynthia Stone Sales Executive cstone@nhbr.com, ext. 5146 Connie McCullion Sales Executive cmccullion@nhbr.com, ext. 5121 Ronnie Schlender Special Projects Sales Representative rschlender@nhbr.com, ext. 5150 Angela LeBrun Sales & Marketing Coordinator alebrun@mcleancommunications.com, ext. 5120 Emily Samatis Event & Marketing Manager esamatis@mcleancommunications.com, ext. 5125 Kristine Senna Event Coordinator ksenna@mcleancommunications.com, ext. 5113 Heather Rood Business and Sales Coordinator hrood@mcleancommunications.com, ext. 5110 Morgen Connor Digital Media Specialist mconnor@mcleancommunications.com, ext. 5149 Brook Holmberg Vice President, Consumer Marketing brookh@yankeepub.com Sherin Pierce Vice President, Retail Sales sherinp@yankeepub.com

150 Dow St., Manchester, NH 03101 (603) 624-1442 • www.nhbr.com Subscription Information: (877) 494-2036 or NHBR@emailcustomerservice.com NHBR (USPS 413430) New Hampshire Business Review is published 26 times a year, bi-weekly (except for July and December), with an additional issue in July and December, by McLean Communications, 150 Dow Street, Manchester, NH 03101. Periodical postage paid at Manchester, NH. Subscription rates: One year, $32, two years, $55, three years, $80. Single copy $1.75. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NHBR, PO Box 433273, Palm Coast, FL 32143. NHBR assumes no responsibility for typographical errors that do not materially affect the value of the advertisement. This publication’s liability for an error shall not exceed the cost of the space occupied by the error. (ISSN: 0164-8152)

3

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

CDFA, BFA set up new fund to aid nonprofits The New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority and New Hampshire Business Finance Authority are launching the New Hampshire Nonprofit Response Fund, an effort to support the state’s charitable organizations during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Funds will be released on a rolling basis as they are raised, continuing throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, they said.

The CDFA and BFA will be administering the resources of the newly created fund, which will be funded in part by contributions from the business community and provide nonprofit organizations with resources up to $100,000 for working capital, equipment purchases and programming expenses.

The NH Nonprofit Response Fund will prioritize the most immediate public health needs and economic impacts from Covid-19, focusing on service providers that support vulnerable populations, the agencies said.

The CDFA and BFA will administer the loans, including deferred loans and grants to qualified nonprofits.

“We know our nonprofits are struggling right now. Our goal is to provide them with the necessary resources, so they can continue their important work,” said Katy Easterly Martey, executive director of the New Hampshire CDFA. Businesses that want to participate in the Response Fund will receive a 75% state tax credit that can be used for up to five years.

Nonprofits that want to apply for the funds and those interested in making donations, can find information at nhcdfa.org.

UNH research finds a second-home coronavirus spike Rural counties across the United States with high numbers of seasonal homes have seen higher rates of Covid-19 cases than either urban or other rural areas, according to new research out of the University of New Hampshire.

“These findings are consistent with anecdotal reports from popular vacation spots that were seeing an increase in visitors, including some who may have unknowingly been infected, that are leaving urban areas and trying socially distance at second homes and seasonal rental properties,” said Jessica Carson, research assistant professor at UNH’s Carsey School of Public Policy.

The study found that in the nation’s 199 rural counties where seasonal housing accounts for 25% or more of all housing units, average cases per 100,000 people were more than twice as high as in other rural counties and 15%

higher than in urban areas.

Some of the rural counties with high shares of seasonal housing include popular vacation spots in New England like Coos, Grafton, Carroll and Belknap in New Hampshire, Nantucket and Dukes Counties (which include Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket islands) in Massachusetts, and Lincoln and Oxford Counties in Maine.

While findings correlate to the trend of people heading to vacation homes, there are several possible explanations for the higher prevalence of cases in these areas, including differences in the level of Covid-19 testing and a higher median age.

“Rural America is older and these counties in particular can be popular retirement destinations, so folks may skew older there,” said Carson. “Relatedly, incomes may also be higher there, meaning people could

be more likely to have health insurance and transportation to get tested, which could influence the likelihood of diagnosis and higher number of cases.”

Carson added that these rural areas also offer a lot of natural amenities, like hiking, biking and rock climbing and might draw foot traffic and increase the number of day visitors who may have unknowingly brought the virus into these places. Other studies show that counties known for their recreational activities have a higher number of cases with coronavirus.

The NH Campaign for Legal Services supports civil legal aid — providing a level playing field and equal access to justice for all.

Civil legal aid helps our neighbors when their homes, their basic income and their personal safety are on the line in civil court.

Legal aid helps the most vulnerable Granite Staters when they face wrongful denial of benefits including Social Security, disability and unemployment; illegal eviction or foreclosure; divorce and custody cases for survivors of domestic violence.

Out of concern for the health of our community, we have postponed all spring fundraising events. We are grateful for the steadfast support of our sponsors and Pacesetter law firms, including:

Investing your philanthropic support in legal aid can help prevent this crisis from throwing thousands of Granite State families into poverty for years to come. All people deserve equal access to justice.

To learn more about civil legal aid, visit nh-cls.org.

4

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

IN BRIEF

MedTech Collaborative is launched in the Upper Valley

Skiers aid medical personnel with ‘Goggles for Docs’

New Hampshire skiers have joined the effort to put Covid-19 on a downhill slope with “Goggles for Docs,” a nationwide effort to provide ski goggles to medical professionals across the country who have no eye protection as they care for infected patients. There are at least four drop-off points in New Hampshire.

The initiative began in late March NASHUA REGION LAKES REGION UNTRY when Jon Schaefer, owner of CataThe Upper Valley Business Alliance has mount Mountain Resort in Hillsdale, established the Upper Valley MedTech N.Y., and Berkshire East Mountain ReCollaborative, or UVMTC, aimed at sort in Charlemont, Mass., received an broadening awareness of the compaemail from Mike Halperin, an emergennies located in the Upper Valley that are cy room doctor at the Jacobi Medical researching, developing andHOSPITALS, manufacBUSINESS TECH, ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, BANKING, PERSONAL ENERGYHalperin said that Center FINANCE, in New York.

OW: FEATURE STORY JUMPS,devices.

IN BRIEF, FLOTSAM, LAW, OPINIONS, THEstocks LATEST,of ABOUT TOWN turingAND medical protective equipment were W: REAL ESTATE +The CONSTRUCTION, TOURISM, NEWS, CHARITABLE GIVING, MORE ONLINE alliance —EDUCATION, formerly HEALTHCARE, the Hanover shrinking rapidly and asked if ski areas bingo,” went to the website and regis- Houston.

W: AREA GRAPHICS, another TOURISM choice, CALENDAR, LAST WORD and Lebanon Chambers of Commerce had supplies of goggles. tered her office at 660 Rochester Hill Both Bondar and Frieswick said they — said UVMTC will bring medical techSchaefer, who had shut down his ski Rd., Suite 3, as a drop-off center. would like to donate to local hospitals nology entrepreneurs, companies and areas, reached out to friends and to“I have two nieces working with in- — Frisbee in Rochester and Memorial investors in the region to address the gether they built a website — “Goggles fected prison inmates in Michigan,” she in North Conway — but both stressed complex challenges they face when for Docs” — that enables hospitals to said. “I want to help those working on they would be just as happy to have trying to bring a device to market and specify how many pairs of goggles the front lines.” She stressed the impor- them go where they are most needed. to grow their medtech businesses. The they need and donors to report how tance of eye protection and noted that Loon Mountain Resort also has regiscollaborative, according to the alliance, many they have packaged and where goggles are more effective than face tered as a drop-off center, and Officer “strives to provide a conduit where enthey have shipped them. By April 7, shields, which tend to fog up, especially Ryan Nolan of the Boscawen Police Detrepreneurs can help each other solve within just 10 days, some 18,000 pairs if physicians and nurses are wearing partment became the fourth to join the problems and achieve success.” of goggles were shipped, meeting two- glasses. program by arranging to accept donat“Through the UVMTC, we now have thirds of the requests posted by some Erica Frieswick, who manages the ed goggles at the Boscawen Police Staa mechanism to bring medtech stake200 hospitals.

Sun & Ski Sports store in North Con- tion on Main Street. Officer Nolan was Discovering the program on social way, said she was encouraged to regis- not on duty and could not be reached holders together, in order to promote media, Billie Bondar, a podiatrist and ter as a drop-off point by the marketing for comment. collaboration, encourage investment, avid skier from Rochester, said, “Boom, director at corporate headquarters in — MICHAEL KITCH grow businesses, support our current employees and attract potential employees,” said Greg Lange, chief busiMedicaid clients at home will be on the federal planning process for from the February rate. A year ago, ness development officer at Simbex eligible for $300 weekly stipends. putting wind turbines in the Gulf of the rate was 2.5%. The survey covMedical Device & Development, a reThe state will cover the costs ini- Maine. In the letter, the group said ered businesses through March 12. search and product development comtially while seeking reimbursement efforts to fight Covid-19 will limit Many businesses closed after that pany located in Lebanon. from the federal government. the public’s ability to contribute to date because of state emergency A March 4 collaborative kickoff event orders regarding the coronavirus. the process. at the Montshire Museum of Science in CONCORD: New Hampshire According to the survey, the state Norwich, Vt., attracted over 40 comschools will remain closed and DALTON: Casella Waste Sys- estimated that 748,970 people panies and numerous entrepreneurs, continue remote learning for the tems, which is proposing a 180- were employed last month, a deinventors, developers, investors and adrest of the academic year, Gov. acre landfill near a New Hampshire crease of 10,630 from February visors.

CONCORD: Susan Huard, who Chris Sununu announced. Su- state park in Dalton, has filed a and 2,290 from a year ago.

Dr. Barry Schweitzer, senior business retired in December as president nunu’s initial order transitioning defamation lawsuit against projdevelopment and licensing manager of of Manchester Community Col- education to remote learning was ect opponents. The lawsuit, filed Dartmouth’s Technology Transfer Oflege, has been named interim issued March 15. It was originally in Merrimack County, alleges Jon fice, said, “In tech communities, one ofchancellor of the Community Col- set to expire April 3, then was Swan, the Forest Lake Association ten hears about needing a ‘critical mass’ lege System of New Hampshire. extended to May 4. But he said and Save Forest Lake disparaged of cutting-edge, high-quality companies Huard, who is expected to be in the severity of the coronavirus the reputation of the company and to have a thriving ecosystem in a particthe post for a year while the board pandemic warranted extending CEO John Casella “by publishular location. The Upper Valley MedTech searches for a permanent replace- the closure through the end of the ing and disseminating throughout Collaborative demonstrates quite conment, succeeds Ross Gittell, who academic year, which is typically the state of New Hampshire false vincingly that we have this critical mass will leave in the spring to become the second or third week of June. statements of fact about the plainof medical technology companies in the tiff online, in print and in person.” president of Bryant University in Upper Valley, and that investors, entreWASHINGTON, D.C.: The The lawsuit asks for an injunction Rhode Island. preneurs and industry partners should Responsible Offshore Development and order against the defendants MANCHESTER: Patty Lynott, take notice.”

CONCORD: Front-line workers Alliance, a fishing industry group, is saying they defamed the company, president of Southern New HampThe UVMTC plans to hold between shire University’s campus, has reat New Hampshire nursing homes asking several New England gover- and damages. four and six networking events in 2020 tired from the post after 13 years and other long-term care facili- nors, including New Hampshire’s, as well as an annual conference. More is ties will get extra pay and many to postpone the planning process CONCORD: New Hampshire’s at SNHU, three of them as presiavailable at uvmtc.org or by contacting will be tested for the coronavirus, of offshore wind development dur- unemployment rate for March was dent of University College. Lynott, the Upper Valley Business Alliance at Gov. Chris Sununu said. Under his ing the coronavirus pandemic. The 2.6%, according to a survey that 65, is a Manchester resident. She 603-448-1203, uvba@uppervalleybusiorder, workers at Medicaid-fund- letter also went to the governors predated many business closures announced the news on social menessalliance.com. ed residential facilities and social of Maine and Massachusetts. The due to the coronavirus. The un- dia and said she wanted to spend

service organizations that serve

group requested a six-month halt

employment rate was unchanged

more time with her family.

5

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

5

➜TAKE

IN the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, 41% of small businesses surveyed by the Small Business Development Center say plans for investments, loans and expansions have been delayed. Another 19% have canceled their plans altogether; 40% report no change. Of the 810 small businesses surveyed in late March, 69% reported a large decrease and 18% reported a small decrease in demand for their products and services. Just 9% report no change while 4% actually have seen increased demand for their products and services.

THE toll of the pandemic is wide-

reaching as 37% of small businesses report both their business and their suppliers have been directly impacted by supply chain issues.

Twenty-six percent say they have in no way been impacted by supply chain issues while 23% said only their business has been directly impacted and 14% said only their suppliers have been affected.

NH Business Review presents NextGen New Hampshire, the next generation of women leaders in the Granite State.

The program will feature four inspiring women business leaders in a panel discussion on the importance of mentorship, professional development and pathways toward senior leadership. Panelists will also share pivotal experiences that had an impact on their career, tips on how to successfully navigate gender dynamics in the workplace and the value of bringing together the current and next generation of women leaders.

Pubali Chakravorty-Campbell SHRM-SCP

Loretta Brady Professor, Psychology, Saint Anselm College

Sara Bee Financial Solutions Advisor, Merrill Lynch

RESCHEDULED TO Wednesday, May 27 | FREE VIRTUAL EVENT! Details coming soon: nhbr.com/nextgen-nh/ Sponsored by:

EIGHTY-TWO percent of businesses said they are extremely concerned about Covid-19’s impact on their business. Despite pressing concerns, 46% of small businesses surveyed do not plan to apply for a special SBA loan. Thirty-three percent of small businesses are likely to apply for one and 3% already have.

THE NH BUSINESS REVIEW PODCAST

WHILE things may change after Americans spend more than a month in their homes, 72% of manufacturers and retailers of interior goods said new business development was their foremost concern, up from 56% just two weeks prior. The survey by the American Society of Interior Designers also found 67% of interior designers are concerned about finding new work, up from 59%.

AT the moment, 63% of retailers are canceling orders on products that have yet to arrive, according to a survey by e-commerce platform NuORDER of more than 2,000 retailers. If the negative economic impact persists for another six months, retailers expect a 50% drop in revenue, with stores projecting at least a 25% decrease in annual sales over the next three months.

Aimee Giglio Chief Human Resources Officer, Dartmouth-Hitchcock

THE INSIDER’S GUIDE FROM NH’S BUSINESS NEWS LEADERS Each week, on the Down To Business podcast, NH Business Review’s editors and writers analyze the most import news affecting business in New Hampshire, drawing on first-hand reporting to provide the most timely, insightful and actionable business news analysis in New Hampshire.

SPONSORED BY

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TODAY AND LISTEN WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

6

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

Up to the coronavirus challenge NH businesses, organizations do their part to support the community Harvard Pilgrim Foundation, Great NH Restaurants team up on meals

‘Masks for New Hampshire’ continues deliveries to healthcare organizations

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation and Bedfordbased Great NH Restaurants have partnered in a Covid-19 Relief Meal Delivery Project, preparing and delivering more than 1,200 weekly meals for lower-income older adults and others in Manchester.

The foundation is contributing $52,000 to the effort, and Great NH is preparing the meals.

Through the project, meals will be delivered to the New Horizons Shelter and Soup Kitchen, Varney Street Apartments, The Family Place and Resource Center, Men’s Transitional Living Program and Women’s Transitional Living Program.

As a result of the sponsorship of the meals program, at least eight Great NH employees will be back to work, the foundation said.

Harvard Pilgrim also recently announced support for three other Manchester organizations as part of its $3 million Covid-19 relief efforts: New Hampshire Food Bank received a $100,000 grant, Granite United Way received a $50,000 grant and Boys & Girls Club of Manchester received a $10,000 grant.

“Masks for New Hampshire,” a program created by SoClean Inc. of Peterborough and supported by several New Hampshire-based donors, has so far donated and distributed over 25,000 protective masks to more than 40 healthcare facilities across the state. SoClean employees served as couriers for most of the deliveries.

“We continue to hear from healthcare organizations across the state that have mask shortages and need a short-term supply. Our goal is to get these masks to organizations as soon as possible so they can help ensure the safety of those on the front lines who are working tirelessly to fight this pandemic,” said Robert Wilkins, CEO of SoClean.

St. A’s housing for CMC workers Saint Anselm College is providing housing for Catholic Medical Center healthcare workers who have been forced to self-quarantine due to exposure to Covid-19. The college and CMC signed an agreement April 7.

Doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and other health workers who are exposed to the coronavirus but have not tested positive will be able to stay in housing on the college’s campus. Thirty rooms have been prepared for CMC use. The college will provide three meals to each guest for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

$100k donation helps FIT-NH open temporary shelter Families In Transition-New Horizons has received a $100,000 grant from a local charitable organization to respond to the various needs at the New Horizons Shelter and Soup Kitchen in Manchester during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The funds will be used, in part, to pay for hiring an expanded staff in order to implement emergency response, 24/7 staffing needs and support a plan to provide safe surroundings for participants at the shelter.

FIT-NH is opening another shelter to temporarily open and operate a new location at St. Casimir School on Union “to better protect our participants, decreasing the numbers of people in one location and improving opportunities for social distancing,” said Cathy Kuhn, chief strategy officer for FITNH. “Frankly, I’m not sure how we would be able to move forward with this response plan if we didn’t have the funds to help us staff this temporary facility while we need aroundthe-clock presence. Our donor has gone above and beyond with a timely gift that gives us new opportunity to protect our most vulnerable population.”

New Hampshire YMCAs remain busy offering help Despite their fitness and membership facilities being closed, YMCAs across New Hampshire continue to provide essential services in their communities during the Covid-19 pandemic, including child care, emergency food distribution, online wellness classes and check-ins on seniors: • 3 YMCAs are providing child care for essential workers, serving an average of more than 150 children per day.

• 2 YMCAs are providing food assistance, distributing an average of more than 1,000 meals per day.

• 5 YMCAs are offering virtual fitness classes to more than 100 people per day.

• 5 YMCAs are offering special supports and services to seniors, including check-ins, virtual wellness classes, and meals.

Citizens funds to aid small businesses Community organizations and small businesses in New Hampshire and Vermont will receive $330,000 in funding as part of an initiative through which Citizens Bank will direct more than $5 million to support relief and recovery across communities it serves, including $280,000 that will go directly to small businesses across New Hampshire and Vermont.

“We believe our approach strikes a strong balance between rapid aid to community partners addressing immediate needs and longer term support for small business recovery,” said Joe Carelli, New Hampshire and Vermont state president, Citizens Bank. “Our small business customers are a vital engine of the local economies so it is critical that we both give them an immediate leg up and bolster their longterm viability.”

In New Hampshire, the support involves $100,000 for the Community Development Finance Authority to provide discretionary grants and technical assistance to small businesses; $180,000 in direct grants to Citizens Bank small business customers in New Hampshire and Vermont to help them continue operating and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic; and $40,000 to the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s Community Crisis Action Fund.

Heidi Kukla, a registered nurse at Elliot Hospital in Manchester, works on one of the disposable gowns she designed for use by healthcare providers.

Elliot nurses design, manufacture disposable and washable gowns for healthcare personnel With a mix of talent and innovative spirit, some inspired nurses at Elliot Hospital in Manchester took on the challenge of enhancing supplies of personal protective equipment, or PPE, which has been in short supply in New Hampshire and across the country.

Registered nurse Heidi Kukla, who works in the intensive care unit at Elliot, developed a pattern for a disposable, detachable gown. Working with colleagues who volunteered their time, Kukla developed prototypes that went to infection prevention staff for testing and review. Once the teams landed on a design and material that met the necessary clinical standards, Kukla reached out to fellow ICU nurse Stephanie Joyce, who also owns AR Workshop on Elm Street in Manchester, for help.

AR Workshop, which closed because of the governor’s stay-at-home order, has been transformed into a gown-making shop.

SolutionHealth, parent company of the Elliot and Southern New Hampshire Health in Nashua, purchased materials for the group to create more gowns to be used at both facilities.

Bangor Savings targets food security The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation has awarded $100,000 in grants to five New Hampshire and Maine nonprofits that are focusing on food security. The Foundation is also donating an additional $25,000 during an upcoming telethon for COVID-19 response.

In New Hampshire, the money was distributed to: the New Hampshire Food Bank ($25,000); Gather of Portsmouth ($7,500); and NEK Community Action, Colebrook ($7,500).

Martignetti aids restaurant workers Martignetti Companies of Taunton, Mass., a distributor of fine wines and spirits, has committed $250,000 in charitable contributions to both local and national organizations to support and assist restaurant industry employees experiencing hardship during the coronavirus crisis.

Locally, Martignetti has donated $20,000 to The New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Foundations’ Hospitality Employee Relief Fund.

NH Food Bank receives $50k Easter Bank Foundation grant Ink Factory Clothing Co. of Claremont, which makes custom T-shirts and embroidery, is producing a special line of T-shirts to highlight essential employees and is donating $4 for every T-shirt sold to the New Hampshire Food Bank. The T-shirts feature a silhouette of New Hampshire with “#Essential” stamped on the back and a company logo on the front. Companies placing an order receive 25 shirts for $240 and can purchase additional shirts for $9 each. The Food Bank receives $4 for every shirt sold, a minimum of $100 raised per order, through April. Order forms are available at inkfactoryclothing.com.

The New Hampshire Food Bank also has received a $50,000 grant from Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation to help it purchase food to support the growing need due to the coronavirus pandemic. The grant is part of a $3 million commitment Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation is making to targeted nonprofits focused on Covid-19 relief, which is helping communities across New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island with grants supporting regional community organizations’ assistance.

7

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

THE BOTTOM LINE

Publicly held firms adapt, some retrench amid Covid Furloughs, closures, some corporate pay cuts, virtual meetings and canceled guidance are some of the actions that New Hampshire’s publicly traded companies disclosed in Securities and Exchange Commission filings over the last month in reaction to the coronavirus-induced recession that has slammed the nation.

PLANET FITNESS The fitness chain closed its gyms on March 18 as governors across the nation issued stay-at-home orders. On April 9, the company furloughed all of its in-store staff, except for corporate store managers. The company also said it would continue benefits for employees that were already getting them.

CEO Chris Rondeau has elected to forego 100% of base salary. President Dorvin Lively has taken a 30% pay cut, and chief financial officer Thomas Fitzgerald and chief information officer Craig Miller’s salary took 25% cuts. The base salaries of other senior management were reduced as well, and the board of directors waived annual cash retainers.

The company drew down $75 million

under its revolving financing facility, increasing its cash on hand to $540 million as a “precautionary measure” and is withdrawing guidance.

VAPOTHERM INC. The Exeterbased company, which makes equipment to treat patients suffering from respiratory distress, announced Monday that business has been booming.

It announced preliminary results that included an increase of 54% in revenue, to $18.9 million, for the first quarter, with gross margins of 47.6% to 48%, compared to 42.1% in the first quarter of 2019.

It expects to have $60 million in cash on hand and is withdrawing guidance due to the significant increase of demand.

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL The Rochesterbased manufacturer of engineering components announced that it has suspended production of composites for the LEAP aircraft engine at its plants in

Rochester and Mexico. It also has halted operations of a facility in Salt Lake City after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus, but its larger facility there, which makes parts for the Lockheed Martin F-35 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is continuing.

The company said there is “considerable uncertainty” in the company’s Machine Clothing unit, even though the products include materials used in a “wide variety of health and hygiene application.”

The company drew down $50 million on its existing credit facility, upping its cash equivalents to $220 million, and has access to another $200 million revolving credit line. It, too, is withdrawing its previous guidance, and announced that its May 14 meeting will be virtual.

VF CORP. VF Corp., which owns Timberland in Stratham and other outerwear brands like The North Face, has closed all its retail stores and its office-based employees are working from home, with full pay and benefits for its employees.

The company is doing business online, however, so its distribution center works have been given extra emergency pay, and VF says it is implementing social distancing protocols, temperature screening, added protective equipment, and reduced and rotating shifts and frequent cleanings.

The company is holding off on a share repurchasing program, drew down $1 billion from a revolving credit facility and says it has $2.4 billion of cash on hand. The company will offer guidance in May.

SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS North Carolinabased Speedway Motorsports, owner of nine facilities around the country, including New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, announced it is restructuring because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It said it would be eliminating 180 positions and another 100 employees will be furloughed. New Hampshire Motor Speedway officials would not say how many jobs are affected in Loudon.

Monday, May 11 • 6:45 AM — Friday, May 15 • 12:30 PM Join us for a weeklong celebration of the arts!

This year’s Arts Awards will be taking place on the digital stage.

MAY

11

TO MAY 15

The New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts invites you to its Annual Business in the Arts Awards on the digital stage with a weeklong virtual celebration of the arts. The NHBCA’s signature event recognizes businesses of all shapes and sizes, individuals as well as organizations for working together to build some of New Hampshire’s most vibrant, diverse, and prosperous p communities.

Go to nhbca.com to register for your backstage pass to this one-of-a-kind awards event. Be among the first to know who made the biggest splash with their contributions to New Hampshire’s robust arts and cultural scene last year.

ARTREPRENEUR AWARD SPONSOR

In response to the drastically changing landscape due to COVID-19, we have introduced an exciting fundraising element to our event. Purchase your art raffle tickets now to win one of 12 original works of art created by New Hampshire Artists. Go to nhbca.com.

ARSTBUILD COMMUNITY AWARD SPONSOR

8

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

COVER STORY

Inhospitable times LAKES REGION

NORTH COUNTRY

NASHUA REGION

As warmer days approach, tourism industry wonders when life will return to normal

TOP ROW: BUSINESS TECH, ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, HOSPITALS, BANKING, PERSONAL FINANCE, ENERGY SECOND ROW: FEATURE STORY AND JUMPS, IN BRIEF, FLOTSAM, LAW, OPINIONS, THE LATEST, ABOUT TOWN THIRD ROW: REAL ESTATE + CONSTRUCTION, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, TOURISM, NEWS, CHARITABLE GIVING, MORE ONLINE FORTH ROW: AREA GRAPHICS, another TOURISM choice, CALENDAR, LAST WORD

BY LIISA RAJALA

J

ust before Gov. Chris Sununu closed New Hampshire beaches, effective March 27, Lakes Region Realtor Frank Roche was driving past Hampton Beach.

“I’ve never seen so much traffic down there. It was almost like the summer,” Roche, president of Roche Realty Group, recalled. “There were tons of surfers out there in their wetsuits and tons of people on the sidewalks, and the next day they had it all taped off.”

Nearly a month after New Hampshire and most states implemented stay-at-home orders, Roche expects there will be “a lot of pent-up demand” from locals and tourists alike wanting to get out of their house and enjoy the beautiful weather after those orders expire.

As much as everyone wants the Covid-19 crisis to pass, the reality is that Memorial Day weekend — the iconic kickoff to the summer season — remains very much in limbo. The U.S.-Canadian border remains closed to nonessential travel, cutting off Canadian tourists, a key contributor to New Hampshire’s economy.

“I think these next three weeks are really going to give us a good perspective on what the summer season is going to look like,” said Charyl Reardon, president of White Mountains Attractions, a 60-yearold marketing organization for hospitality and entertainment businesses in the North Country. “I think there’s encouragement for folks to stay home, follow these orders so we can get over this hump and start to flatten the curve.”

Reardon, association members and the state’s Division of Travel and Tourism will be awaiting further advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Gov. Chris Sununu when businesses can prepare to reopen.

‘A holding pattern’ The Division of Travel and Tourism will not

predict when the tourism season will begin.

“I think nobody knows,” said Mike Somers, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association. “Optimistically, we’d love to start opening up May 4 [the tentative deadline for the governor’s reopening for nonessential businesses], but realistically it’s going to be longer than that.”

In the meantime, businesses are in a “holding pattern,” said Somers.

“A lot of folks are keeping on skeleton crews to do some periodic maintenance or deep-clean or cursory remodels. Those

‘Optimistically, we’d love to start opening up May 4, but realistically it’s going to be longer.’ things are certainly happening, but that’s not sustainable,” said Somers, whose members were hit hard after the governor ordered the end of dining in at restaurants on March 16 and then greatly restricted hotels and other lodging establishments on April 6 by eliminating all “non-essential” accommodations.

“People are legitimately trying to figure out how they are going to be one of the ones that survives, however that’s packaged together — cobbled together with loans, hopefully some forgiveness in there for the sheer economic impact,” said Somers of the federal CARES Act, which offers forgivable loans and other assistance

to small businesses.

Among the restaurant owners taking advantage of the legislation was Tom Boucher, CEO of Bedford-based Great NH Restaurants, who applied on April 3 for 10 loans through the federal Paycheck Protection Program. He received the funding, millions of dollars worth, on April 13.

“We borrowed enough to cover all of our payroll for eight weeks, so we’re hiring back all of our full-time employees, which is an additional 250 people,” he said.

Another 350 part-time employees have been laid off, but Boucher can’t use the funds to pay them.

The loan will be forgiven if the money is used in eight weeks, which is the one qualm Boucher shared with U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in an industry-wide conference call.

Shaheen is among the senators working to extend the deadline to 10 or 12 weeks.

Boucher said the company — which operates nine T-BONES, CJ’s, Cactus Jack’s and Copper Door locations in southern and central New Hampshire — lost $400,000 in March, with sales down 85%.

“It’s been an incredible time for us to manage our business, and it’s very challenging for us because we’re so used to having historical data to plan and predict what we’re going to do for everything,” said Boucher.

“We’re like a fish out of water right now, reacting almost daily.”

And once dining-in does resume, he said, “my guess is we’ll be down 25% for a month and it’s going to be a slow, long climb back,” he said.

“There’s a certain amount of capital you need to start again,” said Somers. Businesses need time to prepare their food and beverage inventory and rehire their staff for opening day, he added. And then there’s the unknown factor: “What is the appetite going to be of customers to come and support those hotels and restaurants?” he said.

‘Late start’ for second homes As for summer rentals, “there hasn’t been a downtick or uptick in cancellations,” said Alex Loiseau, owner of Harris Real Estate, a Hampton-based company that helps second homeowners rent out their homes during peak season, which is July and August.

A lot of owners will use their properties in May, June and September, he said, but, with the beaches closed, owners are staying put where they winter. Typically they would be coming up to turn over their cottages.

“It’s going to be a late start,” said Lakes Region Realtor Roche. While convenience stores in the area report some second homeowners have moved up to ride out stay-at-home orders in New Hampshire, the marinas are closed until May 5.

“Generally this time of year, you have everybody putting the boats in the marina, and those boats are sitting in shrink-wrap in storage,” said Roche.

At this point, seasonal businesses, like theme parks, would have been preparing to open for Memorial Day by hiring staff and performing cleaning and necessary maintenance, said Reardon.

But, this year, attractions like Water Country in Portsmouth and Story Land in Glen have put notices on their websites to stay tuned for opening day in light of the Covid-19 crisis. Water Country even closed its administrative office as of March 23.

Santa’s Village in Jefferson has slated May 23 as its opening date. The theme park recently completed its new Polar Paradise interactive water play for the 2020 season.

And Laconia Motorcycle Week — which annually attracts hundreds of thousands of bikers to the Lakes Region — may be rescheduled from June to August.

Because of this, White Mountains Attractions and the Division of Travel and Tourism are not spending any marketing dollars

>

9

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

FROM PAGE 8 at the moment.

“We run a very minimal campaign during the winter and the spring, so we ceased everything probably the first part of March, right around the time the governor made his first announcement,” said Reardon. “Right now, we’re really focused on using non-paid organic social media to reach followers and keep visitors that are fans of us inspired, so when people are ready and prepared to travel again, they know we’ll be ready to welcome them.”

As part of that inspiration, she said, the association is using the tagline, “Dream Now, Adventure Later,” as are other tourism groups around the country.

“These are unprecedented times,” said Lori Harnois, director of Travel and Tourism. “New Hampshire is participating in conference calls on a very regular basis, not only with other New England states, but also with states around the country. We are working to support each other as we try to navigate these uncharted waters.”

Keeping it local Tourism is New Hampshire’s secondlargest industry, with summer, fall and winter more popular seasons for visitors than spring, but there are missed opportunities.

“For our region, we’ve actually been seeing quite a bit of growth in the spring season,” said Reardon. “You start to have the melt, you have walking trails and some hiking trails. Some of the attractions in our area tend to open in mid- to late April and then early May.” Ski areas “cut our season short by anywhere from two to four or five weeks, depending on the resort,” said Jessyca Keeler, president of New Hampshire Ski. Keeler said that, besides the loss of revenue and jobs, “early season pass sales for next winter pretty much came to an abrupt halt.”

“Ski areas rely on that revenue during the spring shoulder season — it helps them maintain their full-time, yearround staff and start to get ready for their summer season and pay for capital projects,” she said. “People are still able to buy those passes if they want, but they’re not, which is no doubt related as much to the other economic costs of and fears related to the pandemic as it is to the resorts’ early closures.”

RRC Associates, a research firm based in Boulder, Colo., estimates New Hampshire could be looking at a $55.2 million loss due to the curtailed ski season along with the decline in season pass sales and the potential elimination of a chunk of their summer business.

“We’re hopeful that we will be able to resume operations in the coming month or two,” said Reardon. “It would be really good if we were able to open the doors for say July 1 and hit the

ground running.”

And once it is safe to travel again, the Division of Travel and Tourism will focus its marketing efforts in-state and to nearby markets within driving distance, said Harnois.

In the meantime, the division is promoting Granite State Hampshire businesses through VisitNH.gov, which includes virtual experiences and takeout and delivery restaurant resources.

There is hope that people will embrace the idea of keeping their experiences close to home and supporting local businesses.

“A lot of people who normally might travel by plane to say Vail, Colo., to go skiing or head out to the islands, I think you’ll see people hold back on that and frequent places within driving distance of their hometowns,” said Roche.

“That’s a trend that may increase tourism in the Lakes Region.”

Roche thinks people will be drawn to New Hampshire’s wide-open spaces, and fear of an ongoing seasonal virus or future crisis similar to Covid-19 may be a factor too.

“After 9/11, people were so panicked in the cities a lot of them bought a place where they could isolate in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine — getaway places,” said Roche. “I think you’ll see a lot of people move out of the cities.”

He has already seen a trend of New York area retirees or people near retirement purchasing second homes that later can become a permanent New Hampshire residence, he said.

“They like the rural aspect, they like the quality of life aspect in New Hampshire,” said Roche, who also pointed to higher taxes in New York and New Jersey.

“I think it’s going to be another reason, it’s going to force their process of decision-making,” Roche said.

Pam Perkins, owner of and broker with Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty has seen the trend too — and not just in the New London area, where she’s based.

“I would say we’re seeing a brisker pace of interest right now than we typically do this time of year,” she said, adding that Four Seasons SIR is seeing increased business across its 17 offices in New Hampshire and Vermont.

“Our season starts Memorial Day weekend and we’re talking to various people all day about the area and options. And we’ve had a number of people look last year and reconfirm they really do want to buy.”

It’s not just retirees but families that are “maybe reassessing their priorities,” she said.

Roche said one recent buyer was halfway down the East Coast, on their way to Florida, when they noticed a listing online.

“They drove back from their halfway point as a result of the virtual tour and we wrote up the offer,” he said.

Liisa Rajala can be reached at lrajala@nhbr.com.

Seasonal visitor influx worries NH’s vacation spots

BY MICHAEL KITCH

With the Covid-19 outbreak, the prospect of an idyllic summer on Golden Pond has become a source of concern — even foreboding — for popular summer vacation spots in the Lakes Region and White Mountains, where officials and residents weigh the impact from the annual influx of seasonal homeowners and occasional tourists.

John Beland, emergency preparedness manager at the Partnership for Public Health in Laconia, said an influx of visitors is “a concern. It’s something we’ve been anticipating and talking about for a while.”

According to Michelle McEwen, CEO of Speare Memorial Hospital in Plymouth, “we have a concern that the virus could start migrating north with visitors from returning to summer homes or escaping from heavily infected areas.”

Some towns have taken initiatives to reduce the risks.

In Randolph, a town of 320 year-round residents, John Scarinza estimated the summer population may reach 700. But, he stressed, most seasonal residents are members of the same families that have owned property and vacationed in town for generations and are well known to year-round residents.

“They don’t want to get us sick,” he said, “and we don’t want to get them sick.”

Meanwhile, a team of volunteers will fetch and deliver unforeseen necessities for them.

“It’s working spectacularly,” Scarinza said, adding that Gorham has followed suit.

In Alton, Town Administrator Elizabeth Dionne said the influx of seasonal residents “is very concerning.” The influx of seasonal residents, she estimated, could increase the population from 5,300 to between 15,000 and 17,000 in the summer.

But so far, the northernmost reaches of the state have largely been spared the impact of the virus.

As of April 18, nine of 10 cases of Covid-19 in New Hampshire have been reported in the four southeastern counties — Hillsborough, Rockingham, Merrimack and Strafford, home to three-quarters of the population. Less than 8% of cases have been reported in the four northernmost counties — Belknap, Carroll, Grafton and Coos — which together cover half the state but house just 16% of its population.

But, according to Jessica Carson of the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire, seasonal homes in New Hampshire account for more than 10% of all housing units, a proportion topped nationally only by Maine at 16.4% and Vermont at 15.6%. More than 46,000 of the estimated 66,000 seasonal homes, or 70% of the total, are in Belknap, Carroll, Coos and Grafton

counties.

Moreover, these same four counties are home to relatively high numbers of senior citizens, the age cohort most at risk from the virus. The median age is 51 in Carroll County, 48 in Coos County, 47 in Belknap County and 42 in Grafton County. In Carroll and Coos counties one-in-five residents are 65 or older. In Belknap and Grafton counties, this age group represents 16% and 15% of the population respectively.

Among the eight municipalities bordering Lake Winnipesaukee, seasonal homes represent more than 30% of all housing units in seven — save Laconia — topped by Moultonborough, Tuftonboro and Alton, with 60%, 53% and 45% respectively. In Laconia seasonal homes account for a quarter of the housing stock.

Meredith Town Manager Phil Warren estimates the town’s population swells from about 6,500 to 14,000 to 16,000 in the summer months, while Walter Johnson, his counterpart in Moultonborough said numbers there jumped at least fourfold to 20,000, adding, “we have three firefighters and one ambulance.”

In Laconia, City Manager Scott Myers said that some estimate the population of 16,000 may reach nearly twice that in the summer.

All said, signs are the migration has begun and is gathering momentum.

“Second-homeowners are coming way sooner than ever before,” said Beland, who lives in Gilford, “and it’s happening everywhere.”

There are 10 hospitals in the four northern counties. Except for Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, all are “critical access hospitals” (CAHs). Although limited to 25 beds, the CAHs have all expanded their capacity.

McEwen said that Speare added 16 beds, along with another 96 at an “alternative care site.” But, she said “it is very challenging for small entities to flex up to something much larger,” particularly to ensure sufficient staffing for increased numbers of patients. “We’ve not seen an uptick,” she said, “but “hospitals are having ongoing conversations about providing for mutual support.”

James Patry, senior director at North Country Healthcare, a consortium of Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, Weeks Memorial Hospital in Lancaster and Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, said that all three have taken steps to increase capacity in anticipation of a surge.

All three hospitals have added beds and suspended elective procedures to preserve supplies. Likewise, they have turned to both telehealth and primary care physicians to treat and triage patients remotely to limit the volume of inpatient and emergency cases.

10

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

There were many warnings DID YOU KNOW… ASBESTOS IS ACTUALLY A NATURAL MINERAL THAT COMES OUT OF THE GROUND AND WAS FORMERLY USED IN A NUMBER OF CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS FOR ITS FIRE RESISTANCE AND HIGH TENSILE STRENGTH Unfortunately, asbestos has a downside, it causes lung cancer and Asbestosis, a debilitating lung disorder, typically after decades of exposure. It also can present regulatory issues regarding EPA and OSHA standards.

Cheryl Coletti-Lawson

Scott Lawson

Call The Lawson Group to learn more about our asbestos oversight & management services for your business.

800.645.7674 • thelawsongroup.com

ONE STOP LOCAL SHOPPING

We offer plaques, name badges, apparel, NH products, banners, signs & more! ing Celebrat our 25th ary!

Annivers

AMERICA’S LARGEST AWARD SUPPLIER

1 Alice Ave., Hooksett, NH • www.crowntrophy.com • 603-645-1022

iHeartMedia is the #1 commercial podcaster, with over 147 million monthly downloads!

For sales inquiries, call 603-518-1969 today!

Companies with single-source suppliers in China have no excuse for Covid-19 fallout I can’t help but wonder how many companies that moved their operations to China or have sourced major components there, figured something like coronavirus into their business plans?

Judging by recent stock market performance, I’d say not many.

What they don’t understand, and are learning to their chagrin, is that processes are controlled, not by the customers, but by the suppliers. When you move your operations offshore or source significant components there, you’re giving up an awful lot of control.

With the coronavirus outbreak, the Chinese government shut down many suppliers, but that wasn’t the only problem. The companies that are still able to ship have a problem too.

This problem, completely unanticipated by many, is that customers don’t want to buy products potentially contaminated with an often lethal virus. What do you do when your customers refuse to buy from your only suppliers?

I know, who could have ever seen this one coming? Is there even a single case study in our many business schools that presents such an eventuality? Probably not, but it’s no excuse.

If CEOs are worth the tremendous salaries they are getting, they should have known. This is not the first time.

Remember SARS back in 2009? And even that wasn’t the first time.

Part of qualifying potential suppliers, especially those to which you intend to entrust your lifeblood as single sources, is properly vetting them against all eventualities. That includes a complete understanding of their history, their culture and the environment in which they operate.

When I see those news reports about our poor companies caught short, I find it hard to be sympathetic. It’s not rocket science. You can’t visit China without noticing their standards are not the same as ours.

No doubt, there are definite financial benefits to using cheaper labor, but what about the costs? Many products made in China have competition from identical bootleg products, often surreptitiously made in the same factories.

The Chinese are particularly adept at stealing technologies. And, of course, they often cut corners when they realize they’re your only source.

Many companies used to require multiple sources for critical components.

When the Japanese were taking market share from our companies because of the superior quality of their products, we got serious about competing on quality. Multiple sources increase variability, the enemy of high quality. It’s a lot easier to control and adapt to one process than two or three.

BY RON BOURQUE

Improving Performance Single sourcing, with its attendant risks, became a major component of many quality efforts. When suppliers were close by, problems could be addressed quickly. When operations moved half a world away, there was a long pipeline to fill. When problems appeared, they were much bigger and more difficult to solve.

We can’t stop this global economy.

Hopefully, each government, including ours, will learn how to protect us from future outbreaks, as the costs in human lives and misery are far more severe than the economic costs.

Even so, we can’t wait for that. Each company needs to evaluate its current sourcing and make adjustments. If you consider all the costs, especially the ancillary ones, you just might find it’s actually cheaper to just make it over here. There’s less risk, and the quality of life for your supplier support people will improve dramatically.

Ronald J. Bourque, a consultant and speaker from Windham, has had engagements throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. He can be reached at 603-898-1871 or RonBourque3@gmail.com.

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

11

FROM PAGE 1

Before its shutdown, 40% of NH firms got PPP loans The local SBA office approved some 11,682 loans to New expects most of it to be forgiven. But it doesn’t always Hampshire companies, totaling $2 billion, for an average work that way. owner, Jannette Desmond, applied twice for assistance.

Take Yankee Publishing. Despite an expected decline in disbursement of $173,274.

“It’s all a mystery to me,” Desmond told the NH Business revenue, it is still paying its employees to work remotely. So That represents 39.3% of small businesses in the state, Review on April 17. it applied for a $1.25 million loan based on its payroll size. based on 2017 census data, ranking it 17th, and far better In the end, nearly 40% of New Hampshire businesses got That part will be forgiven. But the company doesn’t anticior will get a loan, which, if they spend it on their work- than the national percentage of 29.8%.

At the top, percentage-wise, were Nebraska (58.2%), pate needing the rest for other expenses, so it will probably force and other necessities, would turn into a grant. That’s a much higher percentage than most states, and much North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Iowa and Kansas. have to return between $100,000 to $200,000.

Still, “this is essentially a grant program in the form of a In terms of New England, New Hampshire is behind Maine higher than the country as a whole.

NASHUA REGION LAKES REGION loan,” said YPI CEO Jamie Trowbridge. “There is no pain and Vermont, but ahead of Massachusetts.

California is at NORTH COUNTRY The Paycheck Protection Program, which caused a masinvolved here in having to pay some of it back.” the bottom of the list, with less than 15% receiving loans. sive rush on local banks, ended almost as suddenly as it But there is some anxiety. Like many of those who got New York and New Jersey — the epicenter of the pandemic started. loan approvals, Trowbridge had yet to see the money in his — ranked third and fourth from the bottom, with approval Joe Bator, executive vice president at Primary Bank, bank account on April 17. learned of its demise at 10:20 on the morning of April 16 rates of under 18% each.

“The delay is a little disconcerting,” he said. when a message popped up on his screen Desmond, of Kilwins, is worried too. She while he was working on a handful of lastTOP ROW: BUSINESS TECH, ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, HOSPITALS, BANKING, PERSONAL FINANCE, ENERGY had to redo her application, since her bank minute loans.

SECOND ROW: FEATURE STORY AND JUMPS, IN BRIEF, FLOTSAM, LAW, OPINIONS, THE LATEST, ABOUT TOWN ended up switching its third-party vendor.

“People who came into+ us this morning, THIRD ROW: REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, TOURISM, NEWS, CHARITABLE GIVING, MORE ONLINE But she hadn’t heard from the new one eiFORTH GRAPHICS, TOURISM choice, CALENDAR, LAST WORD they justROW: ran AREA out of time,” heanother sighed. ther.

The loan program was supposed to last “It is very frustrating,” she said. until the end of the year. Indeed, some In addition, post-Easter, she won’t have members of Congress originally worried much of a staff to retain for those eight that businesses wouldn’t hear about it weeks if the money comes through. “I’ll and take advantage of it. Instead, banks have to pay them to stay home.” She could were swamped. use the money later, “when we get to the There is bipartisan support to replennew normal — whatever that is.” ish the program, but there isn’t bipartisan But she did get approved for another agreement on much else. Republicans emergency SBA loan program — an Ecowant to pump another $250 billion into nomic Injury Disaster Loan, which is given the PPP. Democrats want more than that, by the agency itself, not via a bank. That plus other money for localities and hospiFederal loan, capped at $2 million, is for 30 years tals. There is also an effort to make the fuassistance proat a 3.75% interest rate. ture loans easier to get and provide more She also had to apply twice, since grams have left Janette flexibility on when to bring workers back.

Congress changed the application Desmond, owner of Kilwins process to throw in a $10,000 adin Portsmouth, perplexed. She How it works vance that she wouldn’t have to pay received a $10,000 grant advance The PPP was Congress’ attempt to stop back. She received the grant, which on a SBA loan only to later the hemorrhaging of jobs as a result of left her bank account immediately to be denied the actual the coronavirus crisis and emergency orpay the rent, but the loan — “which was loan. ders in most states that shut down all but essential busimuch bigger than I expected,” she said — Community bank advantage? nesses. ended up being denied without explanation.

New Hampshire measures even better when it comes to Here is how it works.

“I can’t believe they gave me an advance on a loan the size of loan per employee. In other words, if the loan and then denied the loan. The government is so messed up A “small” business with under 500 employees can “borrow” 2 1/2 times its average monthly payroll (which in- total were spread out over every worker in a business, it right now and it’s really messing with my business,” Descludes benefits but is limited to salaries of no more than would come out to a little over $6,676 per employee, rank- mond texted on Saturday, April 18. “Won‘t be sleeping well $100,000) up to $10 million for two years at a 1% interest ing New Hampshire eighth nationally. The nationwide aver- tonight.” rate, with no payments due for the first six months. But age is about $1,000 lower.

The EIDL program also has run out of money, though “The states that do best have more community bankers there is a deal in the works to pump in another $50 billion. most or all of that will be forgiven as long as at least threequarters of the money goes to pay an equivalent workforce on the ground who know their customers,” said Bator. “We The final push to take advantage of the PPP program (in terms of headcount, pay rate, hours and benefits) for were able to mobilize our resources to do a year’s worth of came from sole proprietors, who were not allowed to subeight weeks. If some of the workforce is cut, then the for- business in a few weeks. Larger institutions that are going mit applications on April 10, leaving them less than a week to run a program though a web platform are going to lose before the program ran out of money. Banks found the giveness amount will suffer the same fate proportionately.

The other quarter of the loan can also be forgiven if spent people.” processing of such loans more difficult because they usuBefore the program closed, the SBA approved 393 of ally needed a Taxpayer Identification Number. Many selfon necessary expenses like rent, mortgage payments or Primary’s forgivable loans for $98.7 million — 10 times the employed individuals use their Social Security and may not utilities.

But first a business has to find a bank, and it better be a number of SBA loans the bank handled all year. have their books in order.

Tom Boucher, an owner and CEO of Great NH Restaubank you have an account with, or you will be pushed to But Swift Corwin, the owner of Corwin and Calhoun Forrants, was one of the borrowers. the back of the line. estry, a consulting company in Peterborough was able to His applications were in on Friday April 3, and were ap- get his through in time. proved by the end of that weekend. On Tuesday, he was Corwin is dependent on the “winds of the economy,” New Hampshire’s share able to start hiring 100 of his 250 full-time workers back, which are not blowing his way these days. Yes, he said, The strong demand in New Hampshire indicated the as the chain added more labor-intensive curbside pickup, toilet paper is made out of wood, but so are houses, and strong need. And New Hampshire seemed to be hit hard while others boned up on training. construction has taken a hit and the market is “soft” and he in this recession. The state — which is dealing with nearly “This was a lifesaver,” he said. “This is going to save my expects it to get softer. But Corwin doesn’t want to collect 125,000 in initial unemployment claims filed in less than a business.” unemployment — a new option suddenly for the self-emmonth — led the nation with a 6,429.42% increase in claims But although this was enough to get him through eight ployed — even though the enhanced benefits might result in April, compared to before the crisis started in the middle weeks, he and other restaurants are going to need even in a larger income than he gets for his business. of March, according to a recent report by WalletHub. And more help in May when the money runs out.

“I want to be able to work,” he said. “I’m not dead in the the state appears to have gotten its fair share of the PPP, “You are going to see restaurants that are not going to water, just partially dead in the water.” according to SBA data released April 17, the day after the make it,” he said. program ended.

Boucher’s business got its money fairly quickly, and he Bob Sanders can be reached at bsanders@nhbr.com.

FROM PAGE 1

12

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

Observations on Covid-19

Businesses, organizations and institutions are adapting to a very different world www.papergraphics.biz | 1.800.499.1835

This is Bob. Bob needs happy clients to grow his business.

Bob needs a printer that can satisfy his impossible demands to maintain his competitive edge with prospective and existing clients.

Bob requires QUICK turnarounds with IMPOSSIBLE deadlines.

Bob knows Papergraphics will deliver, keeping Bob and his clients happy.

For QUICK turnarounds and IMPOSSIBLE deadlines – Be like Bob. Call Papergraphics.

We all, or at least most of us, have been working from home now for weeks, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Where all of this will lead is not clear at this writing, but there are some observations that can be made.

Immediately after passage of the federal CARES Act there was a mad dash by businesses of all sizes, to apply for loans under the Payroll Protection Program.

Starting on the first day applications could be submitted, the volume of applications was huge. Bankers worked around the clock and through the weekends, to get these applications processed. This was made somewhat complex by evolving rules and understanding of what was required, and different banks required different kinds of backup information. At one point, I think I was advising over 20 clients at various points in the process.

While all banks should be thanked for the hard work done to help clients and non-clients, special note should be made of the small banks which did big work. At the risk of missing others that did noble work, the loan officers at St. Mary’s Bank, Bar Harbor Bank, Bank of New Hampshire, Primary Bank and Millyard Bank were notably helpful to clients of mine seeking these loans.

Many deadlines have been extended — for paying taxes, filing legal forms and other matters. One thing not yet extended, but which most everyone can do from home, is complete the U.S. Census form online. This is especially important so New Hampshire gets its fair share of funds and other assistance in the future. It only takes a couple of minutes, and the information is secure and protected. Everyone should be sure to be counted.

Life changed for individuals, who had to learn to work from home and became well versed (or maybe not so well) in things like Zoom, FaceTime, GoToMeeting and other online means to hold meetings while remaining at home. Remote notarizing of documents, not recognized in statute, became allowed by executive order, and notaries public had to learn how to follow the rules involved.

Teachers had to learn how to teach online, at all levels of schooling, and students had to learn how to be taught. This might have been somewhat easy for middle and upper-middle class families, but was especially challenging for those without internet or computers, largely in the cities.

Many of those same students were missing the free and reduced price meals they normally relied on in school, and school districts sent school buses with school lunches in the larger cities like Manchester.

However, feeding these students on weekends is a challenge, and charities, colleges and individuals stepped up. The Granite United Way, New Hampshire Catholic Charities, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and other funders set up special emergency funds. How these meals are going to be provided over the summer is a real worry.

The state’s colleges face special challenges. Students had to go home and study remotely. Colleges faced the question of whether to refund room and board fees, and most if not all decided to make refunds, often having serious budget consequences. Applying students could not attend campus events to make their final decisions, and colleges extended deadlines and hope for the best, not knowing what the fall semester will look like, or even if there will be one on campus.

BY BRAD COOK

Cook on Concord On the lighter side, some of the required practices changed life in little ways. People go to bank drive-up windows wearing masks, which previously would have gotten them arrested. Those over 60 get special hours at the supermarkets, if they are willing to get up that early, with the reward being that there may be more toilet paper first thing in the morning. These hours seem more crowded than the rest of the day.

In many acts of kindness, neighbors look out for those alone and families have nightly or weekly “family dinner” by Zoom or other video means.

Sadly, as the crisis persists, more and more people learn of the death of someone they know, or a close friend or family member knows. We all are saddened by the deaths of musicians, businesspeople or acquaintances who make this all real.

We appreciate those in hospitals, nursing homes, supermarkets, charities or other essential activities who go to work every day to keep the rest of us safe and able to stay home.

Brad Cook is a Manchester attorney. The views expressed in this column are his own. He can be reached at bradfordcook01@gmail.com.

13

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

FROM PAGE 1

How social distancing is changing NH real estate norms FROM PAGE 1 in parking lots and in rooms with everyone from home since mid-March. “But I under- six feet apart, said when the effects of the stand. It is a whole new world now. I don’t coronavirus first began to impact daily life, want to get sick either.” her group immediately implemented proNormally, a closing is a cordial affair, when tocols to allow business to continue while ownership of the property officially chang- adhering to social distancing recommendaes hands. The buyer, seller and agents gath- tions and ensuring everyone’s safety. er in a room to sign everything, and there “We wanted to pivot immediately,” Damay also be the lender and settlement mon said, listing some of their practices, company doing the closing. including virtual home tours, online or eNASHUA REGION LAKES REGION NORTH COUNTRY “It is time for a celebration,” said Brian closings and Zoom meetings with the buyWhipple, who is also with Coldwell Banker er and seller present. in Claremont and has been selling real esOther agents are quickly adapting by ustate since the early 1980s. “The seller usual- ing more technology to bring parties toly will share with the buyer the uniqueness gether and show homes. They have taken of the home. Now it is anticlimactic.” the required steps to ensure everyone’s TOP ROW: said BUSINESS ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, PERSONAL FINANCE, ENERGY Whipple at a TECH, recent closing in BedsafetyHOSPITALS, and are BANKING, respectful of everyone’s SECOND FEATURE STORY AND JUMPS, IN BRIEF, FLOTSAM, LAW, OPINIONS, THE LATEST, ABOUT TOWN ford for aROW: Claremont property everyone comfort level.

THIRD ROW: REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, TOURISM, NEWS, CHARITABLE GIVING, MORE ONLINE was wearing masks and +gloves.

FORTH another TOURISM “It is allROW: veryAREA odd,GRAPHICS, very different,” Whipplechoice, CALENDAR, LAST WORD ‘Great time to be a buyer’ said.

A recent survey by the New Hampshire Association of Realtors gives a glimpse of No certainty what may lie ahead, but the results do not It is nothing personal, but rather another reflect the full impact the virus could have. example of how the Covid-19 pandemic March housing data does not take into and social distancing have forced a reset account the virus’ effect, as most of those of all the rules governing how we associate sales were nearly completed, but April will both professionally and personally. likely look different, said Marc Drapeau, impact from the coronavirus Miles and Whipple both said they have NHAR president, in a news release.

On the positive side, only 16% of the Realseen listings and business trail off in recent “What I’m hearing from our members is tors in the survey said they had sellers takweeks as sellers don’t want people in their that when they have a seller listing or a buy- ing property off the market completely. house and buyers don’t want to go in other er looking, they’re typically not just testDrapeau believes that, in the big picture, houses, which has led to the development ing the market but serious about making fewer people are dropping out of the marof virtual house tours online. a move,” said Drapeau, who reported that ket altogether than are simply taking a With no certainty as to how long the pan- he is still seeing cases of multiple offers. “It break during the height of the pandemic, demic will last or the stay-home orders will feels like more of a wait-and-see than an the news release said. remain in place, Realtors still say they re- outright stop. The $64,000 question, and During a video conference call with sevSALES main optimistic that whatever slowdown one thatBUSINESS we aren’t prepared to answer with eral commercial and residential brokers on the market experiences, it will be short- any certainty at this point, is just how long April 10, the tone was a mix of optimism lived. a pause.” and uncertainty.

Recently Sold: Suzanne Damon, CEO of Damon Home The number of single-family residences “I see opportunity for both buyers and Pure-Flow, Inc., of Team with Re/Max Insight in Manchester, on the market at the end of March was 25% sellers,” said Bill Weidacher with the Fine Peterborough, a regional in the predicts a sharp decline with an equally Now lower than a year toleader NHAR. in our 44th year ago, according Homes Group in Bedford. sales, installation and rapid recovery, similar to a V. Another indicator of an impending slowThough unemployment will be a concern of helping owners services of high purity water systems andof fil- in the months ahead, those who are secure “I know the second quarter (April, May sell down in the survey with almost 70% theirwas businesses, tration equipment has and June) will stink, but going into the the 684 respondents stating buyers were could do well, the brokers said. been acquired by let us help you third will be the bottom of the V and then a delaying a home search and 63% had sell“If you are confident in your job, this is reEast Range sell yours! comeback in the fourth quarter.”

Partners to the ers “postponing bringing new listings ally a great time to be a buyer in this marDamon, who has been involved in closings market.” Only 13% said they experienced no ket,” said Chris Masiello, president and CEO www.nhbizsales.com • nhbs@nhbizsales.com • 603-715-1097

Giant rooms with tables six feet apart — this is what a real estate closing looks like under Covid-19.

of The Masiello Group of Better Homes and Garden Real Estate.

When asked what the impact of the virus will have on the market, the brokers said that it will take two months at least before anyone really knows.

“I think May will be a month we will get a better indication,” Masiello said.

The brokers also concluded that when the pandemic finally passes, virtual home tours, desktop appraisals and e-closings will become more commonplace.

Miles and others all shared a long view that predicts a solid real estate market in the second half of the year.

“Once it picks up again, I think the second half of the summer will take off,” she said.

“People are just holding off now.”

This article is being shared by partners in the Granite State News Collaborative. For more information, visit collaborativenh.org.

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS BUSINESS SALES SALES BUSINESS

Thinking about selling your business?

We've been selling businesses for over 44 years. Call us for a free consultation.

603-715-5420

www.nhbizsales.com • nhbs@nhbizsales.com

ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING

BUSINESS SALES

Ready to sell your business?

44 years of proven results.

Confidential process.

Contact us today!

• Hazardous Material Testing • OSHA Compliance • Air Quality Assessments

603-715-5420

www.nhbizsales.com • nhbs@nhbizsales.com

INSURANCE

The LTC Insurance Group Life Insurance & the Corona Virus

- things you need to know Request April Newletter 50+ Insurers/Licensed in 5 States Contact: Hans Hug, Jr. 603-778-8939/hhug@apache1.net

Statewide coverage for only $95 an issue! NHBR reaches over 50,000 business owners and professionals each issue. Place your card on the Business Connections page and it will reach the desks of the key executives, managers and business professionals requiring your services. Every two weeks your business card appears under the appropriate heading of your choice. Call (603) 624-1442 ext. 5154 to reserve your space.

BUSINESS SALES

14

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

NH OPINIONS

It’s time to rethink leadership

The coronavirus crisis has exposed shortcomings in our leaders ESSENTIAL QUALITIES

A

n

BY ANNABEL BEEREL

s the coronavirus reached such proportions that it has fallen into the category of a global crisis, it is unfortunate that we fell into our usual habit of denying or deferring the arrival of unpalatable new realities in the hopes that they would somehow go away. Now, the waters of change that were cresting on the horizon have become a full-blown tsunami crashing over our heads.

Leaders at every level have been challenged to handle KING, PERSONAL FINANCE, ENERGY crisis.

The initial response to the virus was complaONS, THEthe LATEST, ABOUT TOWN cency.

Unfortunately, thisONLINE complacency has cost the world, RISM, NEWS, CHARITABLE GIVING, MORE ORD and the United States, dearly. Regrettably too, at this point there is minimal global cooperation. Finger-pointing abounds, and most countries are selecting their own strategies for coping. Public life across the planet is being severely curtailed, and every aspect of what was “normal life” is being totally disrupted and deconstructed.

As the crisis mounts, no one can accurately predict the outcome. What is observable, however, is the effectiveness — or lack thereof — those in leadership positions. History will no doubt document these times with its usual unforgiving pen. Hindsight, as we know, is a cruel master.

Leading in a time of crisis requires multiple skills. These include the ability to be calm in the face of disaster, the courage to speak to reality, an ability to think systemically, critical-thinking skills to create clarity out of ambiguity and

uncertainty, an empathic appreciation of human nature, good communication skills and sensitive timing. These capacities and skills are needed in so-called normal times, however during times of crisis, this need is magnified. Alas, many leadership programs go no way near training erstwhile leaders in these skills.

Forbes magazine recently reported that in 2019 leadership training was a $366 billion global industry. It cited reports from McKinsey and others as to why most leadership development and training programs fail. The causes for these failures, they claim, is the “one-size-fits-all” mentality of most training programs.

Another fault, they say, is that they ignore context and emphasize content where it is really context that matters most.

They also point out that there is too much reflection and insufficient opportunities for application, plus insufficient attention is paid in how to shift a culture’s mindset to face changing realities. They conclude that concepts need to be tied to current events, and ideas, tied to action that address real world challenges for leadership programs to have real impact.

Although there are more leadership books and theories than one can shake a stick at, few of these are well-suited to providing sound, pragmatic advice. More than ever, the onus on leaders will be to pay attention to the environment, to think systemically and to help people develop, adapt and navigate continuous change. Leaders will need to know how to be calm and find clarity among the cha-

otic twists and turns of reality, and the lightning speed with which these twists and turns manifest themselves.

While the coronavirus has our total attention, other new realities are also arriving. Can leaders find the bandwidth to be attentive to these new waters cresting on the horizon? If we think that once the coronavirus problem has been solved that we will go back to the old normal we had, better think again. Yesterday’s solutions tend to become tomorrow’s problems.

We had better be awake, and leaders need to help hold our feet to the fire to deal with the continuous reality of new realities.

It is time to rethink leadership, its purpose, and the capacities and skills that are required to follow through.

While leadership should be a shared endeavor, so that one person does not have to do all the heavy lifting and has to have all the needed capacities and skills, leaders often fail to partner with people who might put a shadow on their limelight.

As the wise Mary Parker Follett (1868-1933) said way back in the 1920s, we shun integration and cooperation because it does not give us the thrill of victory. On that note, lets add another capacity to the list of requisites of leadership — humility!

Annabel Beerel, Ph.D., is principal of Ethical Leadership Consulting and is the author of “Ethical Leadership and Global Capitalism: A Guide to Good Practice.”

Family caregiving in the era of Covid-19 Routines have been upended, with fear, anxiety and isolation added to an already stressful situation CAREGIVING PLAN

BY TODD FAHEY

E

ven in ordinary times, the 177,000 unpaid family caregivers across the Granite State face a daunting set of daily tasks. Oftentimes with little or no training, they may be responsible for wound care, tube feedings, dressing, managing the finances and medical bills of their loved ones, transportation and more.

Of course, these are no ordinary times.

The coronavirus pandemic has complicated the lives of family caregivers, especially those with older loved ones who are most susceptible to Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus. It has added fear, anxiety and isolation to an already stressful situation. Here in New Hampshire, routines have been upended as communities cope with this disease. Governor Sununu has issued an executive order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people and many nursing homes and hospitals are closed to visitors.

Since the outbreak of the virus, AARP

has been urging family caregivers to develop a plan in case they get sick or their loved one does. Our recommendations include: • Pull together a team: Develop a list of family and friends who can perform daily caregiving tasks. If available, identify local caregiving services who may offer a respite for family and friends.

• Identify local services: In response to the virus, many restaurants and pharmacies are adding or increasing their delivery services. The federal government’s Eldercare Locator can help you find support services in your area. The new online “AARP Community Connections” enables people to enter their zip codes and find informal groups of neighbors and friends offering help right in their own communities.

• Inventory essential items: Determine how much food, medication, and basic supplies your care recipient has on hand.

We recommend a two-week supply of food, water, household cleaning supplies, and medical materials and equipment.

• Get prescriptions in order: Make sure you have a list of medications, medical contacts and important information about

your loved one, such as drug allergies. If there are upcoming routine medical appointments, reschedule those or, if possible, switch to a virtual visit. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends having an extra 30-day supply of essential medications on hand. Don’t forget over-the-counter medications such as cough suppressants and fever-reducing drugs like acetaminophen.

• Stay connected: Isolation is a big issue as we all follow social distancing guidance from the CDC. However, social distancing doesn’t have to lead to social disconnection. Develop a communication plan and identify times when members of the care team will check in on your loved one. Skype, Zoom and FaceTime are useful digital apps that can help, but so are lower-tech options like email and telephone calling. To help fight the isolation, encourage people to send cards, letters, magazines, puzzles or other items a loved one would be happy to receive.

• Protect yourself: Like they tell you on an airplane, “Put your own mask on first.” Now more than ever, it is important for family caregivers to take care of

themselves. Follow the CDC guidelines of washing hands frequently, avoiding crowds, practice social distancing and, by all means, if you feel sick stay home. If you develop the virus, you will be of little use to those who are counting on you.

To help caregivers, AARP has a dedicated, toll-free family caregiving line for people looking after a loved one. Agents take calls Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m at 877-333-5885. You can also visit www. aarp.org/coronavirus.

AARP also has a Facebook group where caregivers get tips from experts, share their own stories and sometimes just get a little encouragement from others in a similar situation. You can also find answers to many of your questions online at the AARP Caregiver Resource Center aarp.org/caregiving.

Our caregiving information and services are available to everyone. Our founder, Ethel Percy Andrus, said, “What we do, we do for all.” That has never been more important than in the face of this coronavirus as we all pull together to find our way through it.

Todd Fahey is state director at AARP New Hampshire.

15

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

PBMs help keep families healthy during Covid-19

Pharmacy benefit managers connect physicians, pharmacies and payers to serve patients PRESCRIPTIONS

BY JC SCOTT

O

ur collective will and intellects are being called upon to manage Covid-19, save lives in New Hampshire and restore our economy. During this public health emergency, it is crucial that every sector of our health care system steps up to the challenge. America’s pharmacy benefit managers have a key role to play.

PBMs manage prescription drug plans for hundreds of millions of Americans — including thousands right here in New Hampshire — who have health insurance.

We connect physicians, pharmacies and payers to work together to serve patients. We also work with the rest of the drug supply chain to look ahead to mitigate shortages and maintain access to medications.

As patients evaluate their prescription drug needs, PBMs are providing clinical care services and encouraging patients to consult government guidance and, as needed, their healthcare providers.

During the coronavirus pandemic, PBMs are promoting the following principles for patient access to needed medications: • PBMs, other drug supply chain stakeholders and federal, state and local government partners should work together to sustain access to care for patients and prevent drug shortages.

• PBMs recommend multiple approaches be made available that ensure patients have access to their prescription drugs now and in the days ahead, by balancing convenient, reliable access — such as home delivery and additional supply on hand — with the potential for drug shortages.

• PBMs recommend guidance from federal, state and local government agencies that balances patients’ need to stay at home, the clinical appropriateness of supply for any given drug, and the need to prevent future drug shortages.

While the coronavirus itself is a new public health challenge, PBMs have substantial experience helping to mitigate prescription drug access concerns during natural disasters, including floods, wild-

fires, hurricanes and tornadoes. We have learned from previous regional and global healthcare events, such as Zika, Ebola and the H1N1 virus.

For example, working in collaboration with the rest of the pharmaceutical supply chain, PBMs are monitoring the drug supply to detect potential shortages and spikes in prescribing that might be related to the coronavirus and reporting them to government agencies. If there are shortages, PBMs will work to facilitate access for as many patients as possible from the existing supply.

In addition, some patients, particularly those with chronic conditions, will find home delivery well-suited to help them avoid unnecessary exposure to other people. People with diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure may be at higher risk of complications from Covid-19. PBMs’ state-of-the-art mail-service pharmacies can provide these patients with medications that are delivered right to their doorstep, and PBM pharmacists are available by phone 24/7 to answer questions and provide guidance and support.

PBMs are helping in other ways, as well. Whether patients are seen via telehealth services or in person, real-time benefit tools allow physicians and other prescribers to immediately view covered medications and the patient’s cost sharing, as well as send a prescription to the patient’s pharmacy of choice, including chain drugstores, independent pharmacies and mail-service pharmacies.

PBMs’ real-time benefit tools can help prescribers choose the most cost-effective medication and reduce out-of-pocket spending. Should some drugs be in short supply, real-time benefit tools can help prescribers and pharmacists quickly determine the right therapeutic alternative for each patient.

Our healthcare system — and entire nation — is being challenged in ways that seemed unimaginable just weeks ago.

PBMs are deploying every available tool to help patients. We are proud of our role in this effort and remain vigilant in taking steps to help Americans stay healthy.

JC Scott is president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association.

Be Safe. Be Well. Be Local.

Stepping away from hiking hot spots into the nature of our own neighborhoods can help protect the people and places we love SOCIAL DISTANCING

BY DOUG BECHTEL, MARK ZANKEL AND JACK SAVAGE

N

ature is our ally during this difficult time. It has the power to soothe, uplift and restore. Governor Sununu has acknowledged the physical and mental health benefits of getting outside as we live under the Covid-19 stay-at-home order, while recommending that all of us play a role in ensuring the health and safety of our people and natural areas by recreating locally and responsibly.

Collectively, New Hampshire Audubon, The Nature Conservancy and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests own and manage more than 90,000 acres of conservation land across New Hampshire. Currently, we are keeping our lands and trails open for public use, with drive-by monitoring to assess use levels.

While overcrowding is a challenge we are monitoring closely, we believe natural areas offer outdoor experiences that are needed now more than ever.

We are pleased to see people across the Granite State experiencing the restorative powers of a simple walk in the woods, and are equally pleased that most are heeding

the message to enjoy those benefits locally and only when a place is not crowded.

It’s no secret that getting outside is good for you. And, in this time of social distancing, nature does not have to be far away. Now is an opportune time to explore your backyard or neighborhood, looking for nature in unexpected places.

Spring’s arrival coincides with the return of migratory birds, providing the perfect setting to learn different species and their calls. Consider planting flowers or a garden. Live in an apartment? Try a planter of herbs in a sunny window.

While there is nothing like the real thing, there are online options too. Your favorite conservation organizations around the state are offering all types of naturebased content and opportunities online, typically through their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. From virtual field trips and story hours, to backyard bioblitzes and photo challenges, there’s something for everyone to enjoy just outside — or inside — their front door.

If you simply must get a little deeper into the woods, please avoid popular spots, choose places that are close to home and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Do your research — use our websites or those of a local land trust or conservation com-

mission to identify open spaces near you.

Have a plan B — if you find the parking area full, try a different location where social distancing will be easier.

This is a tough time when all we want to do is stretch our legs, get a little exercise and begin to enjoy the nicer weather. By stepping away from hiking hot spots and stepping into the nature of our own neigh-

borhoods, we can help protect the people — and the places — we hold so dearly. Be Safe. Be Well. Be Local.

Doug Bechtel is president of New Hampshire Audubon, Mark Zankel is state director of The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire and Jack Savage is president of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.

16

ADVE RTOR IAL

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

FROM THE GROUND UP:

The Rex Theatre

EMPIRE sheet metal, inc.

• Engineers • Fabricators • Erectors • Structural Steel • Light Iron • Aluminum • Stainless Steel Forming

“Proud to be part of the Rex Theatre project.

Good luck on your upcoming season.”

Connor Chadwick Project Manager

email: empiresheetmetalcc@comcast.net

155 Baker Street • Manchester, NH (603) 622-4439

I

Cornerstone PDC restores Rex Theatre to its former prominence

n many ways, the newly renovated Rex Theatre has returned to its roots.

After starting its life as a print shop around the turn of the century, the building at 23 Amherst Street served as a performance space for decades. The Rex Theatre opened in 1939-1940 and continued as one cinema or another through the 1980s. And now, after an extensive renovation project headed up by Manchesterbased Cornerstone PDC, it lives again as a live music venue and community gathering space — but it wasn’t an easy path.

During its lifetime, the building housed nightclubs, fell into disrepair and then was ultimately closed. It was in this dilapidated condition when Cornerstone President Roland Martin walked in and the firm first started on the project as the design-build construction manager in January 2019.

“It was a disaster,” Martin says. “I’ve done a lot of renovations here in Manchester, a

lot of them historical, but I’ve never seen anything like this one. It was in really rough shape — nothing but the basic structural elements could be salvaged.”

Through the combined efforts of The Palace Theatre, the Manchester Development Corporation (MDC) and a number of city officials, a plan was put together to bring the space back from the brink.

“One alternative was to tear it down and make it into parking spaces,” says Paul Ramsey, chief financial officer of The Palace Theatre, which oversees the Rex under a lease agreement. “It serves a purpose, but it doesn’t bring in revenue like a theater does.”

Cornerstone engaged Dennis Mires, PA, of Manchester, to provide necessary design services. With a shared vision, a schedule and a budget of $1.7 million, Cornerstone began work. Like any good production, however, there were unexpected

140 Bouchard Street, Suite 1B, Manchester NH (603) 621-9422 | noonan-ne.com Photo by John W. Hession

17

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020 Photo by John W. Hession

Your Project. Your Money.

No one manages both better than Cornerstone.

Since 2001, Cornerstone has been providing its clients with personal, custom-tailored services based on their specific needs. From preliminary studies and space searches through planning, design and construction, we can offer a fully integrated, turn-key solution for your project allowing you to remain focused on your core business. Call us when you’re ready to plan and execute your next project!

Photo by Robert DiGregorio

twists and turns before the curtain was raised again last October.

“As we started peeling back the layers of old construction, we encountered things that were hidden during early exploratory work,” Martin says, of the selective demolition process. “It resulted in a significant amount of structural work in the building.”

Ramsey says the initial plan called for the original roof to be replaced. Before long, however, it became clear that the existing structural roof deck would have to be completely replaced.

“A variety of surprises along those lines showed up and created a significant challenge to the budget as well as the schedule,” he says. “There were a lot of design changes that needed to be made on the fly.”

That challenge, in particular, ended up being fortuitous. Martin’s team recommended and opted to install an acoustic

603.668.8750 www.cornerstonepdc.com

metal roof deck specifically designed for performance venues, which resulted in greatly improved acoustics. It was one of many unexpected challenges that popped up during the seven-month process. Cornerstone brought the building down to its original state, removed all the old plaster and stripped the structure to its historic brick walls.

Cornerstone removed three underground rooms that were no longer needed, constructed an entirely new slab and reinforced the existing balcony, which was cast-in-place concrete. Some column footings supporting the balcony had settled over the years, which necessitated shoring, removal, redesign, new footings and reinstallation. Cornerstone built the stage and restrooms at the south end of the space, and the front-of-house facilities, public restrooms and a bar in the theater in the north end of the space.

>

18

ADVE RTOR IAL

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

Photo by John W. Hession

As Cornerstone began the refurbishment of the Rex Theatre, above left, workers uncovered a number of unexpected challenges. A true community effort, however, led to the successful completion of the project, above right.

FROM PAGE 17 The exterior underwent substantial brick repair — the front façade of the structure, which had been reworked a number of times over the years was completely renovated — and the team oversaw installation by Manchester-based First Sign & Corporate Image of the new, dramatic 14-foot marquee announcing the theater’s name. The venue was named The Rex when it opened as a theater in May of 1940. It was renamed King Cinema and then The Movies over the years before its rebirth as the Rex Theatre. Installation of the sign is a detail that doesn’t typically fall to the construction manager, but Cornerstone was asked to take on this part of

the project as well. Though it, too, went swimmingly, Martin is quick to offer kudos to key partners on the project.

“There were a lot of local companies that we work with on a regular basis that really stepped up to the plate to help us contain costs, stay on schedule and do some really nice work,” Martin says.

“It really was a community project. Peter Ramsey and Paul Ramsey from The Palace Theatre spearheaded the project with Mayor Craig, the full Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Manchester Development Corporation fully supporting the project as well, including providing financing.”

Even the neighbors chipped in, Martin

says.

“The old water line to the building was broken and needed to be replaced, so I called Pramod Nyaupane from Bunny’s Superette next door and told him we were in a pinch and needed water for the masons; next thing you know, we had a hose running from his basement across the alley into the building.”

“Even with the unexpected structural issues, we managed to turn it over and come in under budget. It was very satisfying,” says Martin.

The 5,000-square-foot, 320-seat venue opened to the public in October.

“It’s awesome,” Ramsey says of the finished project. “To be able to bring this in

on-time and on-budget — not many people could conceive of that happening. Really, Cornerstone did a phenomenal job.

They are the real hero in bringing the Rex back, as far as I’m concerned. They were able to adjust to unknown conditions along the way, bring in the right subcontractors. I was thrilled to have them on board to make this happen. I’m not sure many contractors could make this happen.

“I can’t say enough about Cornerstone.

Their team was excellent to work with through all the trials and tribulations that presented themselves during this process. They were truly remarkable and I’d recommend them for any project.”

Proud to be Part of The Rex Theatre Project!

DPI

DIVIDERS PLUS INC.

• Partitions • Acoustical Ceilings • Gypsum Wallboard • Doors 548 Donald St., Bedford, NH 03110 603-668-4214 • Fax 603-668-5373 • dividersplus@comcast.net

All-Temp COMMERCIAL HEATING & A/C

Proud to be part of the Rex Theatre project 295 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 603-666-0302 • www.qcglass.com

911 Candia Road Office (603) 623-5977 Manchester, NH 03109 Cell (603) 234-6640 Fax (603) 623-7062

19

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

A Covid-19 insurance primer A look at how the coronavirus affects a range of policies Here are some simple tips which will demystify what your insurance agent or insurer can explain.

Health insurance The health insurance industry has moved quickly in collaboration with providers and regulators to make Covid-19 testing and treatment as seamless as systems allow, including these general guides: • No deductibles or co-pays or other costsharing for Covid-19 testing.

• No deductible or co-pays for treatment of Covid-19 through certain dates. Generally, end of May. • No prior authorizations for testing/treatment required, in some cases through certain dates.

Health insurance premiums can be paid for

BY DONALD PFUNDSTEIN

Rest Assured out of proceeds from forgivable loans under the Payroll Protection Program. (You can call my colleague, attorney John Funk, for further guidance at 603-496-6735.)

General liability, business owner policies and directors and officers policies Generally speaking, general liability covers obligations for bodily injury and property damage, so there could be third-party liability coverage if there are bodily injury claims resulting from exposure to Covid-19. Some packages (general liability and property) provide some business interruption insurance coverage. There are both commercial multi-peril property policies and business owner policies that provide coverage for business interruption.

If your business and you are sued, there may be coverage under your general liability or other policy. However, some policies may have exclusions for losses resulting from epidemics or pandemics. In short, you need to carefully review and study your policies.

Directors and officers policies cover claims arising out of the discharge of their respective duties or failure to carry out such duties. Hopefully, you have already taken all reasonable and prudent steps with respect to responding to the risks associated with Covid-19. If not, you should immediately do so by following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and the state’s public health agencies.

Business interruption insurance/civil authority

Business interruption insurance is not as simple as many small business owners suspect. The policies generally provide coverage for circumstances within the meaning of the policy language that cause an interruption in business. Usually, they require damage to the business location or property, and there may be exclusions for viral infections like Covid-19.

However, there is much discussion among legislators and activity among trial lawyers to force insurers to pay claims irrespective of exclusions and whether the policy would actually pay the claim. This is the case without regard to the fact that there was no underwriting or premium collected for the risk. Organized and professional efforts to achieve this result are mobilizing throughout the country, ensuring costly litigation for years to come.

You can learn more details about business interruption insurance in its various forms from the New Hampshire Insurance Department’s FAQs. There is also likely some coverage for “civil authority” in your policies. The government shuttered businesses that weren’t declared “essential.” The issue to overcome will be the requirement of actual physical loss.

Workers’ compensation As a long-term officer of a workers’ compensation insurer, I am going to simply provide you with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ guidance: Workers’ compensation insurance covers work-related injury or illness — either sustained on business premises or due to business operations. Typically, workers’ compensation covers the employee’s medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and at least some portion of their lost wages. Workers’ compensation policies typically cover only occupational diseases, which are diseases that are unique or peculiar to one’s job.

Ordinary diseases of life are not covered.

Covid-19 may be covered in certain limited circumstances, depending on how the individual contracted it, their occupation and the specific policy.

Life insurance God willing, you won’t have the need to consult your life insurance policies. Obviously, group and individual coverage can be impacted based on the position of the deceased.

In closing, as the New Hampshire Insurance Department says: Insurance is complex. Your policies need to be carefully reviewed with a trusted advisor. While many policies seem the same, the differences will determine whether or not your business is covered.

Attorney Donald J. Pfundstein is a shareholder and director of the Concord-based firm of Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell. His practice focuses on regulated industries.

The Palace Theatres are dark for now, but we’re leaving the light on for brighter days to come.

PALACE THEATRE | REX THEATRE | SPOTLIGHT ROOM | FOREVER EMMA STUDIOS

www.palacetheatre.org

20

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

RETIREMENT

Retirement in the age of coronavirus

Amid economic decline, there are some key steps to take to shore up your financial future

BY MATTHEW J. MOWRY/GRANITE STATE NEWS COLLABORATIVE

For many baby boomers, 2020 was going to be the start of a new phase in life as they planned to retire. And then the world changed in an instant, leaving some to wonder whether this really will be the start of their Golden Years or if those dreams will have to be deferred. For others close to retirement who now find themselves jobless, it may feel less like a choice as a circumstance forced upon them.

Either way, financial experts say before panicking, take a deep breath. Inhale … hold … exhale.

KING, PERSONAL FINANCE, ENERGY OK?

IONS, THE LATEST, ABOUT TOWN RISM, NEWS, CHARITABLE GIVING, MORE ONLINE ORD

Many boomers, who have lived through prior recessions and know what, are heeding that advice. While this economic downturn is different because it’s being caused by a pandemic, “there’s also a sense we’re all in this together,” says Paul Provost, president of New Hampshire Trust Company in Concord. “The markets and economy will return to normal.”

Another way this downturn differs from previous ones is, rather than being a long downturn followed by a sharp recovery, this will be more of a “U-shaped” recession, says Thomas Levasseur, founding principal of The Beacon Retirement Group in Dover.

By that, Levasseur means that, likely after a few more weeks of economic decline as the pandemic reaches its peak, the economy will “bounce along the bottom” for a while before stabilizing and heading into recovery, which he expects will be in a year to a year and a half.

In the meantime, there are several steps wouldbe retirees can do to shore up their financial futures. Some will find they can move forward with their retirement plans, some will have to make adjustments and others will have to wait a few more years.

Seek professional help These are unprecedented times and the economic fallout will be complicated, Provost says.

“People should not be do-it-yourselfers at this time,” he says, and that means tapping into financial advisors, accountants, bankers and attorneys.

Retirement, even during the best economy, is a huge transition fraught with emotion and stress as it involves making major decisions. “Couple that with the current crisis and you are getting a double whammy,” says Robin Young, president of Northstar Financial Planning in Windham.

“Your fear is ramped up.”

She says professional advisors can provide assurance and take out the emotional components so clients can make better decisions. “You need to create space to evaluate your options,” Young says. “Fear can put your long-term financial security at risk. People can make terrible decisions when fear is in the driver’s seat.”

Such mistakes could include selling stocks in a down market, buying an annuity that isn’t a fit for your financial portfolio, paying off a mortgage when you need liquidity or skipping an insurance premium payment — all things that can be avoided when working with the right professional, Young says.

Keep investments on track The stock market has been volatile during the pandemic with massive drops followed by steep upticks. Panicked investors may feel an urge to sell off stocks, but financial advisors say that could prove costly.

“You’re going to be selling more shares of your investments in a down environment,” and getting far less return than if they sold when the market is higher, says Dan Hagler, CEO of Granite State Retirement Planning in Bedford and co-author of “Retire Abundantly.”

Marshall Rowe, managing director of Northern New England for The Colony Group in Concord, says investors should stick with their long-term investment plan and resist the urge to react to mar-

ket volatility.

If investors are going to make adjustments, they should be looking for opportunities to buy rather than sell, Levasseur says. “This is a great time to buy in,” he says. “The wise investor will see this as an opportunity in good quality assets at depressed prices.”

Levasseur says people considering retirement need to reassess their appetite for risk and think about how to recalibrate their portfolio once the economy takes a positive turn. “Capitalize on this opportunity. Every challenge is fraught with opportunity,” he says.

However, not everyone is a fan of the volatile stock market as a major source of retirement income.

“You don’t want to be tied to the Wall Street casino,” says Barry Dyke, president of Castle Asset Management in North Hampton and author of “The Pirates of Manhattan.” “Your rate of savings is more important than your rate of return,” he said, adding that “one of the biggest mistakes people make is chasing the return.”

Reduce debt and budget Any retirement strategy, especially now, needs to include ways to reduce debt and set a realistic budget. “Don’t spend money you don’t have to impress people you don’t like,” Dyke says.

Hagler recommends making a budget listing non-discretionary items — those things that must be paid in order to live, such as mortgage or rent and groceries — as well as discretionary items that make retirement nice but are not necessary and can be reduced or eliminated. From there, Hagler says, someone who has, say, an annual retirement budget of $50,000 can see if there are ways to knock it down to $40,000 in order to more effectively retire in an economic downturn.

Provost agrees now is the time to reassess retirement needs and question whether it makes sense to buy the condo in Florida or a second car. People are also reassessing their values during the pandemic, and that may change retirement plans, Provost says. For some it may mean wanting to move closer to family, and that “may lead to different savings path,” he says.

Get a part-time job Retirement isn’t always about being on the golf course or an easy chair. Taking on a part-time job makes sense for some retirees. Dyke says people should have multiple income streams for their retirement. That can include starting a small business as an encore career, developing side gigs or freelancing. “Focus on what you love and turn it into an income stream,” he says.

Besides creating additional revenue and delaying the need to tap into long-term savings for the ex-

21

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

tras in life, Rowe says taking a part-time job during retirement provides social opportunities and a reason to get out of the house.

Investigate annuities A source of great debate is the value of annuities in a retirement portfolio. Annuities are insurance contracts that guarantee paying a regular income. Dyke recommends annuities for those who want a steady income in retirement and have the insurance company take on the risk instead of them. “They guarantee an income stream for life,” he says. Dyke points out many major corporations use annuities to finance their retirement plans.

Retirement, even during the best economy, is a huge transition fraught with emotion and stress.

Rowe says he’s not usually a fan of annuities because of the high expenses involved in purchasing them. The biggest gamble is that if a person passes away sooner than expected, they will not realize the benefit of the annuity, he says.

However, Rowe agrees an annuity is a way to mitigate risk, which is an important factor for some retirees.

“Annuities are more appropriate for retirees with limited assets who need assurance those assets will be sustained for their lifetime and can live within the budget afforded by that annuity and other sources like Social Security,” Rowe says.

However, for retirees with substantial assets that will likely outlast them, an annuity does not make sense, he says.

Stress-test your plan It is important to put retirement plans through a financial stress test to make sure they are viable even in the most trying times, says Hagler. That means running a retirement strategy through a variety of scenarios testing diminishing rates of return.

“The vast majority of people I meet with for the first time haven’t even done that,” Hagler says. “They don’t know how a downturn in the economy will affect [them] …. What if the rate of return is no longer 5 or 6% but 0% for three or four years?” Such data allows people to see at what point their retirement plan is not viable and what adjustments need to be made well before they face that reality, he says.

Defer retirement

! d n i m f o e c a Enjoy pe At Home By Hunt members enjoy:

For some, the curveball they have been thrown by the coronavirus may require delaying retirement for a year or two.

Rowe says that by deferring retirement for at least six months to a year, people can continue saving for retirement, allow time for their investments to recover and delay drawing on their assets.

“That is an extremely powerful and impactful choice to make if they can make it,” he says.

• A personal relationship with a knowledgeable Wellness Coordinator who proactively manages changing needs.

• Greater control and autonomy in decisions about their care, freeing members from the worries associated with becoming a burden to their children.

Retirement is more than money Dyke says people need to keep the “five Fs” in mind during this time: faith, family, friends, (physical) fitness and financial organization — and in that order. Family and friends will be important for the emotional support people need, and keeping physically fit is important as people will be working longer than expected, he says.

At the end of the day, it’s about evaluating your retirement plan — or developing one — and having the data to make good decisions that are not grounded in fear, Young says. “If you are planning to retire this year, you still may be able to,” she says.

This article is being shared by partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information, visit collaborativenh.org.

part of the

family

Call 603.821.1200 to schedule your FREE consultation 10 ALLDS STREET | NASHUA NEW HAMPSHIRE HUNTCOMMUNITY.ORG

Ask us today how we can provide you with a for tomorrow.

recipe

Private Banking Retirement Services Wealth Management Investment Management Fiduciary Services Custodial Services 401(k), 403(b) & 457 Plans

Call 1.800.832.0912 or visit BankNH.com to learn more.

22

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

HEALTHCARE

Healthcare providers raise warning on their future Hospitals, nursing homes, doctors’ practices are hemorrhaging money, GOFERR committee told

LAKES REGION

NASHUA REGION

New Hampshire’s hospitals are losing fered to accelerate payments, and Gov. a combined $200 million a month and Chris Sununu has set aside $50 million emergency funding for hospitals. A few could run out ofHOSPITALS, operating funds PERSONAL by the FINANCE, CHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, BANKING, ENERGY of the smaller hospitals were able to take summer, according to Steve Ahnen, presiAND JUMPS, IN BRIEF, FLOTSAM, LAW, OPINIONS, THE LATEST, ABOUT TOWN advantage ofMORE forgivable dentEDUCATION, of the New Hampshire Hospital AsNSTRUCTION, HEALTHCARE, TOURISM, NEWS, CHARITABLE GIVING, ONLINEloans through the sociations, nother TOURISM choice,testifying CALENDAR, Monday LAST WORDduring a CARES Act’s Payroll Protection Program telephone meeting with the Governor’s before it ran out of money. But all of that Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery won’t be nearly enough, Ahnen said.

“How do we get though the next 30, 60, (GOFERR) Monday.

Representatives of hospitals, nursing 90 days to get to the other side so we can homes, doctors and nurses all called in to continue serve our community?” he said. tell their urgent needs in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Shutting down elective procedures on While providers have had to prepare for March 16 had a “devastating and dramatic the virus, they have put off more profit- effort on our financial health,” said Alex able elective and routine procedures. For Walker, executive vice president and chief hospitals, as a whole, that has resulted in a operating officer of Catholic Medical Cen40% to 45% revenue loss, which is “unsus- ter in Manchester. Walker said that that tainable without a major infusion of capi- hospital expected to lose $60 million by tal,” said Ahnen. the end of June, causing it “literally to run There has been some capital. The fed- out of funding.” The hospital, with nearly eral CARES Act set aside $50 billion for 300 beds, was reduced to 100 beds in orhospitals, and $100 million went to New der to prepare for a surge. “I’m not sure is Hampshire. In addition, Medicare has of- going to come,” he said.

Sam Ogden, MD Pediatrics

Now more than ever, we aim to improve the health and wellbeing of our community, one connection at a time.

(603) 448-3121 • AlicePeckDay.org

they remain full, costs are going up and staff are quitting because of the pandemic. New Hampshire in particular has an older nursing home population than the rest of the country. The average age is 80, opposed to 77.4 nationally, with a dementia rate of 48.6% as opposed to 53%, said Brendan Williams president and CEO of the New Hampshire Health Care Association, which represents about 80 healthcare facilities containing about 7,000 licensed beds.

“The single focus has been on hospitals, Hospitals have and if that doesn’t experienced 40% to change, nursing 45% revenue loss, which homes will close,” is ‘unsustainable without a major infusion of capital,’ said he said.

Steve Ahnen, president of the The state has New Hampshire Hospital taken some action, Association.

If something isn’t going to be done promising an extra soon, he added, the “consequences are $300 weekly stipend dire and dramatic.” for nursing home workers, and providing one-time testing for nursing homes in Rockingham and Hills‘They aren’t going borough counties. to come back’ Concord Hospital expects to lose up to $50 million. It has been able to handle cash flow pretty well so far, thanks to a $57 million advance from Medicare. But about 600 workers had their hours cut in half. And salaried employees have been taking vacation time to keep the facility going.

Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro lost 80% to 90% of its revenues. The small hospital estimates losses of over $10 million by July and furloughed 20% of its employees to stop the bleeding, redeploying skilled registered nurses to take the temperature of patients as they walked in the door.

And North Country Healthcare — which includes Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook and Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster — estimates it lost 50% to 75% of revenue. Staff have voluntarily taken time off without pay instead of extended furloughs. “Chances are they aren’t going to come back,” said CEO Tom Mee. The hospital system expects visits — that normally go up by a third in the summer because of tourism — to fall. While not being specific, he warned, “a number of hospitals are at risk of closing.”

Nursing homes are also at risk. Although

Shutting down elective procedures had a ‘devastating and dramatic’ effect on the financial health of hospitals.

But that kind of testing is “inadequate” because it provides a “snapshot” not a “motion picture,” since the person tested today might be exposed tomorrow, said Williams.

Doctors also are struggling, said James Potter, executive vice president of the New Hampshire Medical Society, who said primary care physicians’ revenue is dropping 50% and specialty practices by as much as 80%. About 40% of doctors are self-employed or in small group practices, and those are getting hit the hardest, said Potter.

If help doesn’t arrive soon some small practices my close or sell out to large entities, Potter warned.

23

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

Being a savvy health care shopper has never been so rewarding It pays to shop smart, especially with health care.

That’s why many of our Anthem plans come with the SmartShopperTM program, a service that helps your employees choose the most money-saving, high-quality facility for their health care, and rewards them for those choices. We’re talking cash back of up to $500 or more each time they shop.

BUT IS IT EASY? You bet. If your employee’s doctor recommends a medical procedure, like an MRI, a CT scan or surgery, the employee takes these steps: Go to smartshopper.com or call our personal assistant team (PAT).

Compare prices for that procedure and find a cost-effective facility nearby.

Schedule the procedure at the location of their choice.

Get cash back once their claim is paid.

It’s that easy.

WHEN YOUR EMPLOYEES USE SMARTSHOPPER, YOU MAY SAVE TOO! Anthem employers with the SmartShopper program have experienced a total gross savings of $14.4 million, while Anthem members received 1.7 million in cash rewards.* Now that’s smart savings.

Start saving today!

CONTACT YOUR PRODUCER OR ANTHEM ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE TO LEARN MORE. * Based on New Hampshire self-funded large group results, using Vitals, Inc. internal data, 2016 & 2017.

The SmartShopper™ program is provided by Digital Sapphire, an independent company.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of: In Maine: Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc. In New Hampshire: Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc. HMO plans are administered by Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc. and underwritten by Matthew Thornton Health Plan, Inc. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. 105929MUEENABS Rev. 08/19

24

ADVE RTOR IAL

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

ASK THE EXPERTS

The changing landscape of healthcare As we adjust how we work and live, the healthcare industry is adapting to an entirely new set of policies and how it treats patients.

We reached out to two of New Hampshire’s largest healthcare authorities to learn more about how normal processes have changed and how it can affect you and your needs.

Our experts: • William C. Brewster MD, FACP, CHIE, Vice President, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care – New Hampshire Market. harvardpilgrim.org • Mary Oseid, Senior Vice President Regional Strategy and Operations, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, Connected Care – Center for Telehealth. dartmouth-hitchcock.org

ING, PERSONAL FINANCE, ENERGY NS, THE LATEST, ABOUT TOWN WILLIAM BREWSTER, HARVARD SM, NEWS, CHARITABLE GIVING, MORE ONLINE PILGRIM HEALTH CARE RD

n How is technology playing a role in medicine, and how has it changed normal processes lately?

Brewster: “We’re currently living in unprec-

edented times. Having made it through the first month or so of our new normal, I can’t imagine the difficulty and disruption to life during the 1918 pandemic. While it has taken a little getting used to, I’m able to do everything that I did in the office — just from my home — all thanks to technology. Between video conferencing, teleconferences and a strong VPN, our business operations have

not stopped. With just a few clicks of their smartphone, my team can get necessary supplies and have them delivered to their front doors. Our members can contact us as they normally would and have the same great experience as always, even with the team working remotely. And last but not least, we have been able to access medical care without having to leave home. As telemedicine visits may help limit the spread of the disease, Harvard Pilgrim is emphasizing telemedicine services at no cost to our members and expanding the scope of our telemedicine coverage for telephone only, audio/video and e-visits.” n What policies have changed in light of the current health situation?

Brewster: “It’s clear that the situation con-

of-network providers when an in-network provider is not available for testing and for any emergency services related to COVID-19 treatment administered by out-of-network providers. We have also removed the member cost sharing for all telemedicine appointments, regardless of whether they are COVID-19 related or not, and are allowing members to receive a one-time early refill of covered maintenance prescription medications (up to a 90-day supply) at usual cost sharing. We want to provide every opportunity for our members to get the care they need without having to leave their homes, and implementing these changes does just that.

“During this time, we have also put many policies in place that help relieve some of the day-to-day stressors for healthcare providers. Things like removing usual precertification requirements — such as those related to the transfer of patients to less acute settings like rehab hospitals — not only allow providers to focus on continuing to provide quality care but can also free up limited bed space more quickly.”

tinues to change daily. With that in mind, we have ongoing cross-functional meetings to discuss the situation and make sure we are addressing them from all areas of the business, with a focus on our members, our broker partners and our provider network.

“To help remove any potential barriers n What information do you want to share to care for our members, Harvard Pilgrim waived member cost sharing (deductibles, with the public?

Brewster: “This is a challenging time for evcopays, coinsurance) for COVID-19 testing and treatment provided by in-networkT:10.3”eryone. We are all dealing with this new norproviders. Costs will also be waived for out- mal and worry is at an all-time high. While

it is difficult, maintaining social distancing (staying at home other than for essential trips out) and following all local public health mandates is vital. We want to thank all of the essential workers keeping us safe, stocked with groceries and connected. No matter what your role is, one thing is clear: We are in this together. And Harvard Pilgrim is no different. While so much has changed, our commitment to our members and community has not. We are in regular contact with the NH Hospital Association, NH Insurance Department, NH Medical Society as well as other partners within the state and country to ensure that you can count on us when you need us. Oh, and wash your hands.

MARY OSEID, DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK HEALTH n How is technology playing a role in medicine, and how has it changed normal processes lately?

Oseid: “The delivery of healthcare remote-

ly, often called telehealth or virtual care, is one of the most important and innovative changes that technology has brought about in healthcare in recent history. Today, physicians and other providers across a broad range of healthcare services are using video technology and digital information to as-

>

T:6.29”

At Harvard Pilgrim, we’ve got plans for you. We’re listening to the communities we serve and building on our 50-year promise to provide personalized, flexible, and affordable health plans to everyone in New England.

See how you can get to a healthier, happier you at harvardpilgrim.org Harvard Pilgrim Health Care includes Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England and HPHC Insurance Company.

Form No.: NH_7463_nhbr_ad2_0818

25

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

ONE SYSTEM. ONE COMMITMENT. KEEPING YOU HEALTHY AND SAFE. To our neighbors and friends around the region: We are living in an unprecedented time. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every single aspect of our daily lives, from how we move about our communities, to how we do our jobs, and into our personal lives and how we interact with each other.

One thing has not changed, though: the commitment of our regional healthcare providers and first responders to provide you with the highest-quality health care, whenever you need it. All of us at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health are proud to share that commitment.

For many years, all of our organizations actively prepared for what is now a growing pandemic. With COVID-19 cases on the rise, we have widened efforts across our system to manage and care for the numbers of you who may seek, and need, our help. We will continue to adjust how we care for you as we move forward together.

While this is a challenge unlike any we’ve ever faced, we want to assure you that we are facing the challenge head-on. As the only academic health care system in New Hampshire, we had the ability to quickly stand up drive-through testing and, in March, we were one of only 20 U.S. sites to begin clinical trials for patients. We are constantly assessing our hospital capacities, our stores of supplies and equipment, and our procedures for safely and effectively caring for our patients with and without COVID-19.

We encourage all of you to continue to follow these health protections: • Wash your hands • Practice social distancing • Stay home if you’re sick For the most accurate information about COVID-19, please seek direct sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or the New Hampshire and Vermont departments of health. You can also refer to us online or on Facebook at:

www.D-H.org www.facebook.com/DartmouthHitchcock We deeply appreciate the trust you place in us to care for you or your loved ones. We take that trust very seriously, and we pledge that we will remain here for you. It is our honor and privilege to be your neighbor, your friends and your health care system.

We’re in this together, and we’re in this for the long haul.

Joanne A. Conroy, MD

Don Caruso, MD, MPH President and CEO, Cheshire Medical Center

Susan Mooney, MD, MS, FACOG

Joseph Perras, MD

President and CEO, Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health President and CEO, Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital

CEO and Chief Medical Officer, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center

Tom Manion, MPA, FACHE President and CEO, New London Hospital

Johanna L. Beliveau, BSN, MBA, RN President and CEO, Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire

Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital • Cheshire Medical Center • Dartmouth-Hitchcock • Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center New London Hospital • Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire (VNH)

26

ADVE RTOR IAL

N H B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

HEALTHCARE sess, diagnose and treat patients remotely. Using telehealth, patients are able to remain in their communities to get the care that they need from their local hospital. Patients, particularly in rural regions, no longer have the burden of traveling long distances to access specialty healthcare.

NORTH COUNTRY

Care Done Right, the First Time and Every Time.

“Dartmouth-Hitchcock (D-H) Center for Connected NASHUA REGION LAKES REGION

Care’s Tele-Intensive Care Unit (TeleICU) is one such program that provides care for patients remotely. The Dartmouth-Hitchcock TeleICU program, launched in 2019, is staffed with board-certified intensivists (physicians who have undergone advanced training in providing care for critically ill patients) and critical TOP ROW: BUSINESS TECH, ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, HOSPITALS, BANKING, PERSONAL care nurses. The TeleICU team collaborates withFINANCE, bed- E SECOND ROW: FEATURE STORY AND JUMPS, IN BRIEF, FLOTSAM, LAW, OPINIONS, THE LATEST, ABOUT TO side clinicians in rural hospitals to provide re­al-time THIRD ROW: REAL ESTATE + CONSTRUCTION, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, TOURISM, NEWS, CHARITABLE GI care, support, monitoring and clinical consultations, FORTH ROW: AREA GRAPHICS, another TOURISM choice, CALENDAR, LAST WORD allowing even the most critically ill patients the ability to receive care close to home. The clinicians communicate with patients and providers using state-ofthe-art, two-way, interactive audiovisual technology, enabling the critical care team to talk with providers at the bedside while seeing the patient in real-time.

“To assist during this time of crisis, the DartmouthHitchcock TeleICU team expanded its coverage to 20 hospitals across the region, offering critical care consults for COVID-19 patients in all of these locations. n What policies have changed in light of the current health situation?

Oseid: “Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health has been

investing in telehealth since 2012. The D-H Center for Connected Care provides telehealth services to more than 20 hospitals in the region and serves patients across five states. Our program provides telehealth care that spans the full continuum of healthcare services. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we were ready. We knew that expanding telehealth services was critical in addressing the challenges of caring for patients while maintaining social distance, protecting healthcare workers and preserving important personal protective equipment.

At Elliot Breast Health Center, you can be confident that our team is by your side every step of the way, no matter where your journey leads. From routine screening mammograms to diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant breast conditions, we are proud to provide the expert care you need.

Learn more at ElliotBreastHealth.org

ElliotBreastHealth.org

“Fortunately, federal and state governments agreed.

As part of their emergency orders in response to COVID-19, they put in place policies requiring that telehealth services be paid at rates consistent with traditional, in-person appointments. Video technology applications have also been expanded to provide remote care to patients. And physicians are able to practice in bordering states without going through state licensing procedures. These new policies allow us to take advantage of our experience in telehealth, expand our programs quickly, and provide needed healthcare services to patients and hospitals in our region.” n What information do you want to share with the public?

Oseid: “We want our patients, our communities

and our regional healthcare partners to know that Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health is here to support you — just as we’ve always been. During this crisis, we are doing everything we can to leverage our telehealth technology and expertise, to provide care remotely and limit your exposure to others.

“We believe that strategies to maintain social distance will continue to be essential, even as the threat of a significant COVID-19 surge passes. Telehealth is here to stay and our commitment to and investments in telehealth will remain strong. We are building on a solid foundation of success in telehealth and will continue to offer services that provide patients with access to specialty healthcare services closer to home.”

For more information about telehealth and virtual visits, visit https:// go.d-h.org/virtualvisits.

27

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

How to revamp NH’s disabilities care system Panel discusses need for changes, collaboration

BY JEFF SYMES

Before a pandemic altered the world’s and the nation’s view of healthcare, One Sky Community Services in Portsmouth hosted a series of roundtable discussions to examine the issues that concern people with disabilities and the formal systems set up to support their independence and inclusion among a non-disabled majority.

The following discussion took place just prior to the Covid-19 outbreak in the U.S. — before Gov. Chris Sununu declared a state of emergency in New Hampshire. The world has changed since, but the thoughts and ambitions expressed during this discussion about caregiving and collaboration may be even more crucial now.

The participants were Rep. Patricia Lovejoy, D-Stratham; Rep. Joseph Guthrie, RHampstead; Michelle Donovan, New Hampshire director of Living Innovations; Rebecca Throop, director of development and communications for the Seacoast Mental Health Center; Billie Tooley, director of outreach and development at One Sky Community Services; and Chris Muns, CEO of One Sky. The discussion began with a review of the workforce shortage that has been running unchecked across the caregiving and service industries. These are the workers generally described as the “backbone” of service systems, the front-line staff deployed to provide the supports. Indeed, in disability support services, they are the only ones actually providing the services that are planned and managed by administrators and other personnel.

But between the state’s mental health centers and its developmental services agencies, there can be more than 500 vacancies for direct support staff from month to month.

Representative Lovejoy called the workforce shortage “pervasive” in its effects on service delivery across the state as the high vacancy rate pairs with a consistently high turnover rate.

Nationally, direct support professional (DSP) turnover hovers at about 45%, though it’s difficult to tease out more exact figures as DSPs are lumped into a broader category of “home healthcare aide.” Indeed, shortly after this roundtable, U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Susan Collins of Maine announced in March their sponsorship of a bill to give direct support professional its own specific coding in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ classification system in order to better track the need for DSPs across the country.

Support services The difference may seem slight but the work of DSPs with people who have disabilities is as variable as disability itself — from providing physical care in a home to implementing behavior plans in the community and from on-site job coaching to teaching skills to support an individual who is living independently. Community inclusion is the

largest piece of that supports puzzle.

Muns explained what those supports might look like each day for people with disabilities who are connected to the developmental services system: “It’s community-based care.

They have errands to run, jobs and appointments to go to, activities that they’re involved in. And when they need to get there, it’s the DSP who drives them using their own car.”

At the nearby Seacoast Mental Health Center, there is an ever-present awareness of how one aspect of life supports or undermines another aspect, said Throop. “For us, mental health is about stabilizing someone’s whole life. So as we approach a client, we’re thinking, yes, maybe this person needs therapy, but we also need to make sure their housing is stable, that they have a job … there are all these other pieces. Because no one comes into therapy if they can’t even get transportation, or they can’t feed their family.”

Representative Guthrie pointed out the concerns around caregivers who are aging themselves and the need for respite care for providers who need a break. The healthcare complications of those loved ones, he explained, can exacerbate support concerns by making it too difficult or complex for a family to handle caregiving tasks on its own.

“I think we have to take into consideration people who are care providers of their spouse, or someone within the family, so that person doesn’t have to go to the nursing home,” Guthrie said.

An afterthought Getting a handle on what defines a DSP and a DSP’s work is just one thread in a complex weave of support needs that run vertically and horizontally through social services.

Service organizations have arrived at a crossroads in their missions, exacerbated now by a pandemic that has underscored the desperate need for caregivers and support providers. Between deinstitutionalization and community inclusion, some in disability supports are questioning the approach that has been taken since the movement to close institutions began decades ago.

In a 2016 working paper published by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, author Micaela Connery observed, “Our public policies on disability are based heavily in a cultural desire to care for and protect a vulnerable population.” But, she added, “In an effort to protect the safety of individuals with disabilities, we may be creating barriers to their authentic integration into their communities and undermining their self-determination.”

Connery and others have wondered if the support system has been so focused on deinstitutionalization, centering regulations and policies around avoiding institutionalization, that community integration might come as an afterthought. “We understand the process of deinstitutionalization fairly well,” Connery concluded. “Now we need to figure out the nuances of true community

creation.”

Echoing that sentiment, Muns suggested, “One of the things we have to do is move beyond just caretaking and help the people we work with get into jobs that match what their passions are. And I think a competency-based DSP model could help with that.

But you have to develop the competencies, which gets to training. We have to figure out how to collaborate more, to create a mechanism for people to learn these skills and raise the level of appreciation for direct support positions.”

Muns sees an expanded role for trained DSPs and then the training would also be expanded in a collaborative effort with other organizations. “There are many issues that

Organizations need to collaborate on forming a pipeline of people to serve as direct service providers for two or three years, as opposed to a lifetime career. we’re dealing with — there’s a mental health component, there’s the health component — so you’d have more people working in the system that understand an integrated approach is better. And that could provide more career opportunities for people.”

Lovejoy compared such an approach to a management training program in which students spend six months or a set amount of time working in different departments of a company over a two-year period. Perhaps, she suggested, through the collaborating support of organizations, the timeline of such a program would be different, and people might spend one to two years in different organizations over a five-year period.

As long as a skill set was identified and delineated, participants and managers would have clearly defined expectations as targets to complete the program.

“I think you’ve come to the realization that the idea that someone is going to come out of school and be a direct service provider and do that their whole life,” Lovejoy said, shaking her head. “You recognize that you’re going to have that turnover, so maybe we are looking at getting people to do this for two or three years and then they’re going to move on. But you’ll have that pipeline of people who are going to be doing it for two or three years. If the various organizations work together, you could create a path. It’s just that realization that you’re not going to have people work there their whole life doing direct support.”

Older workers With a professional background steeped in the for-profit sector, Throop wondered if this might not be a good time to borrow development strategies from the corporate world.

“Historically in social services, there is this belief that we either have to get the second-tier employees or we have to be like a nonprofit,” she observed. “The reality is that there are synonymous ways that you can work just like a for-profit. For example, [the Seacoast Mental Health Center] hired a VP of HR who is essentially revamping all our HR strategies.”

Donovan’s organization is also trying different strategies that include a long look at an often-overlooked demographic group in workforce recruitment: seniors and retirees.

“People who have already had their careers, or have already raised their family, and they don’t need to work full time, and they might not need the benefits,” Donovan explained.

“We find that they’re the best workers.”

Concerns about funding for collaborative programming and initiatives were voiced as well.

“One of the challenges,” said Muns, “and I hate to say it, is money. If nothing else, you need some seed money to get these things going. And I don’t think any of the organizations in this room have that money just sitting in their budgets. That’s one of the challenges in New Hampshire.”

“The bottom line is we just don’t have the ability to raise the funds to do the services we’re trying to provide,” said Guthrie. “The income is just not there in our system that we have today, but we have to find some way of funding these programs that are just needed, we don’t have any choice.”

In wrapping up, it was agreed that, whether seeking funding sources or reviewing regulatory speed bumps, the time for more collaborating between organizations has arrived.

“I think the consensus seems to be that there can’t be any sweeping changes at the state level,” said Tooley. “We’re going to have to work in a very collaborative environment and solve our own issues and hopefully we can set up a successful template that maybe other areas of the state will want to reproduce and use.”

Lovejoy offered up a primer on working with state legislators: “Being specific is very helpful. It makes it so much easier to do legislation. There are a lot of reps who would be willing to help shepherd it through, but you’ve got to be specific. It’s actually an easy thing to deal with if they know that this is a specific problem and you can get all of your organizations together. Don’t come and say there are 15 problems we need to deal with.

Identify specific regulations and then come up with what your roadblocks are and how can we deal with those roadblocks. Start one at a time. Looking at the whole universe, things get lost.”

Jeff Symes is participant directed and managed services coordinator at One Sky Community Services.

28

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M

THE LATEST FINANCIAL SERVICES

Carmen Lorentz of

Belmont, executive director of Lakes Region Community Developers, has joined the board of directors ANCE, ENERGY OUT TOWN of Meredith Village Bank. Prior to BLE GIVING,Savings MORE ONLINE joining LRCD, Lorentz was director of the state Division of Economic Development and before that was executive director of the Belknap Economic Development Council.

MANUFACTURING The Plaistow, NH, facility of Sparton MDS, a Schaumberg, Ill.-based manufacturer of electronic and electromechanical devices, has been recognized for its performance and partnership as a supplier to Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. It is the 10th consecutive year that Sparton’s Plaistow facility has earned Raytheon’s 4-Star Supplier Award.

During this time, the site also achieved a Bronze Affordability Award for cost reductions.

GOVERNMENT

butions to theory and algorithms in signal processing, artificial neural networks and distributed computing systems.

New England College

has launched two new degree programs, an online bachelor of science in cybersecurity and a hybrid master of science in applied data analytics. “The development of these programs shows New England College’s commitment to offering innovative academic programs,” said Lisa Conn, director of graduate enrollment in NEC’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

CONSTRUCTION Brookstone Builders Inc., Manchester,

Jacqueline Matthews

Franklin Savings Bank has announced the promotions of Jessica Price to assistant vice president and assistant controller and Suzanne Paradis to Bank Secrecy Act and security officer.

Jessica Ruel has been promoted by Meredith Village Savings Bank to be the new branch and business development manager of its Laconia location at 379 Main St. She replaces Eric Petell, who was recently promoted to mortgage loan originator.

has been hired as data capacity manager by the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority. She most recently worked as a regulatory auditor at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and before that was a program reporting specialist for CDFA.

has been awarded a roof replacement project by Hillsborough County of New Hampshire. The project will involve replacing 23,000 square feet of existing shingle roofs on three buildings at the county nursing home’s Mast Road campus in Goffstown.

Mark Brockelman will serve as Brookstone’s project manager.

ENERGY

Chinburg Properties

of Newmarket and NH Gas and Electric Utilities, a consortium of New Hampshire utilities, have earned Energy Star awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in recognition of their contributions to public health and the environment. Chinburg, a regional homebuilder, was recognized for building more than 75 Energy Star-certified homes and increasing consumer brand awareness through its marketing, educational materials and training of sales staff. NH Gas and Electric Utilities, made up of Eversource, Liberty Utilities, New Hampshire Electric Co-op and Unitil, was recognized for promoting the Energy Start Certified Homes program to builders, trade organizations and consumers.

REAL ESTATE

EDUCATION George Cybenko, the

Dorothy and Walter Gramm professor of engineering at Dartmouth College’s Thayer School of Engineering, has been named a fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) — the first time a member of Dartmouth’s faculty has achieved the honor. Cybenko was recognized for contri-

social media and crisis management. Bacon has more than 15 years of experience in the energy industry, leading organizations and sales, marketing and public relations teams.

She is a member of the Propane Gas Association of New England, serving as a co-chair of the workforce development committee and Women in Propane.

Amanda Bacon has launched Savvi Strategies, a consulting firm that provides marketing and public relations services to small and middle-market businesses in the industry. It develops strategies for business operations, including product launches,

Berkshire Bank has closed on a $60 million construction loan for the 199,000-squarefoot retail center in the South Village at the massive Tuscan Village mixed-use project at the site of the former Rockingham Park racetrack. Salem Five Bank is partnering in the financing. Upon completion, Tuscan Village will comprise over 800,000 square feet of retail, 950 residential units, two

hotels and 1 million square feet of office space.

Steve Schneider, for 13 years executive director of the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission, has taken the job as CEO and general manager of the Eastman Community Association, a private residential community in Grantham, Springfield and Enfield with more than 1,500 residences. Schneider, who previously served 11 years as Enfield’s town manager, starts his new job May 1. He succeeds Ken Ryder, who has been at the helm at Eastman since 2001.

Ray Newton of Pea-

body & Smith Realty’s Holderness office has become a licensed associate broker.

Newton has worked in real estate for over a decade, and actively lists and sells property on Squam Lake and in central New Hampshire.

Realtors Cindy Anderson of Bow and Bedford resident Liz Purnell of the Ander-

son-Purnell Real Estate Group, have joined Keller Williams Metro.

Anderson-Purnell now operates from the Bedford headquarters at 168 S. River Rd. They most recently worked with Coldwell Banker in Bedford, where both members received top performer awards.

Senior advisors Michael B. Charron and Joan Blais of

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty’s Commercial Division have both been presented with “Top 5 Agents in the Network” honors by the Berkshire Hathaway national network.

Charron finished the year in the No. 3 spot and Blais finished at No. 5.

HEALTHCARE

Dr. Daniel M. Philbin Jr., a clinical cardiac

electrophysiologist at the New England Heart and Vascular Institute at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, has been named chair of the American College of Cardiology board of governors and secretary of the board of trustees, the main governing body of the ACC, for 20202021. Philbin will lead governors from chapters representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and representatives from the U.S. health services.

Weeks Medical Center

has the Robert A. Warriner III MD Clinical Excellence Award from Healogics, a national provider of advanced wound care services.

The Wound Healing Center scored in the top 10% of wound care centers on the clinical excellence measure.

Memorial Hospital’s Mount Washington Valley Rural Health Clinic in North Con-

way has signed onto Telehealth, which will allow patients to have a virtual video visit

>

29

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

Tina Sawtelle named Music Hall’s new executive director Tina M. Sawtelle, chief financial officer of The Music Hall in Portsmouth for the past five years, has been named the new executive director of the historic theater.

Before joining the Music Hall in 2015, she spent 15 years at the University of New Hampshire in a variety of roles, including associate dean of finance and administration, vice president of finance and treasurer for the UNH Foundation and interim associate vice president for alumni relations. She succeeds Patricia Lynch, who announced she will be stepping down at the end of June after 16 years at the helm.

with their provider using a home computer or smartphone. “The virtual visit technology is an additional step in ensuring our patient’s healthcare remains uninterrupted during these times,” said Practice Manager Lucy Williams.

for palliative care at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and is a former hospice director for Bayada Hospice in Vermont.

Meggen Wright,

founder of Restorative Health Therapies in Littleton, has renewed her certification as one of 25 registered and certified yoga therapists in New Hampshire through the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Restorative Health focuses on supporting aging community members who must deal with a wide range of health concerns and challenges.

partnerships with many business leaders across the state.

The Queen City Rotary Club in Manchester is

accepting grant applications for its 2020 awards cycle. And, in recognition of the challenges nonprofits are facing in the wake of the pandemic, the club has set aside funds to donate specifically in support of Covid-19 responses. To be eligible, nonprofits must serve children in need across greater Manchester. To apply, visit queencityrotary. org.

Charlotte Williams, Ericka Bergeron has been named director of home health at Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire. Prior to joining VNH, she served as nurse manager of CHaD Pediatric Clinics at DartmouthHitchcock Medical Center. In addition, Maryellen Corliss has been named director of hospice and palliative care at VNH. She previously was an outpatient nurse

Quirk Cars has do-

nated a bookmobile to the city of Manchester aimed at helping “enrich students’ reading activities throughout Manchester.” While the coronavirus has delayed launching of the bookmobile, said Daniel J. Quirk, owner of the car dealerships, “we are working closely with the city’s and school’s timelines and will provide more of an update in the near future.”

The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation has

awarded a $5,000 grant to The Chase Home as part of its Community Matters More initiative in which residents across Maine and New Hampshire were given the opportunity to vote for up to five nonprofits. In addition, Northeast Delta Dental has donated $2,000 to support The Chase Home’s food program, which now not only supports youth living at the facility but families in the community at large.

NONPROFITS vice president of strategic initiatives and innovation at The Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, will take over as president and CEO of the organization in July, succeeding Katharine Eneguess, who has announced she will be stepping down from the role on June 30. During Eneguess’ tenure, she helped the ARLNH navigate significant changes in staffing and management and championed

ter fundraiser — the largest of its kind in northern New England — which will be conducted virtually this year between June 1 and July 11 to make it easier to maintain physical distancing.

Damon is a dietitian and diabetes educator whose private practice, The Nutrition Counseling Center, is based in New London.

Meehan is a professor of medicine and director of the Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center.

Hope Damon and Dr. Ken Meehan have been

named co-chairs of The Prouty, the Norris Cotton Cancer Cen-

Stephen and Ashley King have made a

contribution to The Park Theatre in Jaffrey to name the upper

auditorium in honor of Stephen’s father, Michael B. King, who was a trustee of The Park Theatre for over 14 years and founding member of the TEAM Jaffrey Park Theatre Restoration Committee.

Catholic Charities New Hampshire has appointed Susan D. Huard to its board of trustees. Huard, named interim chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire, recently retired as president of Manchester Community College.

ENGINEERING

ored by Portsmouthbased B2W Software for its innovative use of B2W’s Maintain product. The firm was presented with a Best Use of a Single B2W Product Award during the heavy construction management software company’s 2020 Client Innovation Awards ceremony held in March during its annual user conference in Las Vegas. Severino was recognized for realizing significant improvements in shop productivity and equipment uptime, including cutting emergency repairs in half using B2W Maintain.

Portsmouth-based

SilverCloud Inc., a

Bedford-based TFMoran has hired Jennifer Farrow as receptionist in its Bedford office.

Farrow has nearly 20 years of administrative and accounting experience, including as an accounting clerk for the state of New Hampshire.

TECHNOLOGY Vapotherm Inc., an

Exeter-based medical technology company focused on products that are used to treat patients suffering from respiratory distress, has been granted Breakthrough Device Designation for the company’s Oxygen Assist Module (OAM) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The program creates an expedited pathway for prioritized FDA review of the OAM. Severino Trucking of

Candia has been hon-

provider of a support solution for the financial services industry, has begun releasing its weekly Digital Support Trends, which outlines the weekly trends showing what banking customers are asking on both banking websites as well as within mobile banking.

SilverCloud’s Consumer Support solution is used by more than 200 banks and credit unions.

Jörgen Remmelg has been named CEO of XMReality Inc., a Portsmouth-based developer of augmented reality remote guidance systems. Remmelg previously was senior vice president at European high-tech company Ruag. Before that, he served in roles at Compraser, Saab and ABB, among others.

Please send items for possible publication in The Latest to

EDITOR@NHBR.COM Include a color photo if available.

30

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

QA &

U.S. Navy Fireman First Class William F. Cronin Jr.

●

N H B R.C O M

U.S. Merchant Marine Lt. j.g.

Warren Pond

INTERVIEW

BY JOHN ANGELO

World War II veterans

William F. Cronin Jr., and Warren Pond The 75th anniversary of VE Day, celebrating the Allies’ victory in Europe in 1945, is May 8. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, fewer than 325,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in the Armed Forces during World War II are still alive. Their stories inevitably come around to duty and sacrifice in the field, across the oceans and on the home front. The values that united America and its allies then offer a lesson for today as our country faces its present medical and economic crises.

William F. Cronin Jr. and Warren Pond, two of those World War II vets, live in Wolfeboro and volunteer at the Wright Museum of World War II — a museum that Tripadvisor calls “a little gem.”

n Q. What

role do you have at the Wright Museum?

Cronin: I’m a greeter. There’s a lot of information with so many displays and artifacts. A lot of people just want to get pointed in the right direction.

Pond: I’m experienced in all kinds of maintenance. I’m a grunt. n Q. What

was your training and military assignment?

Cronin: I pestered my parents after Pearl Harbor. I think they got tired of listening to me because they eventually signed the papers when I was 17. I liked to hunt. I was trained on an Oer-

likon 20 mm anti-aircraft gun. It had three types of shells: armor-piercing, tracers and explosive. Eventually, I wound up working with Mark 14 boilers in the engine room.

Pond: I had always loved to sail.

Merchant Marine Liberty ships were class C4 cargo ships. We transported food, fuel, troops, munitions, medical equipment and anything else that was needed. We couldn’t have won the war without Liberty ships. I worked in the engine room.

n Q. What

ship or ships did you serve aboard and where were you deployed?

Cronin: I served on the destroyer

USS Cowie (DD-632). The ship was an escort in about 13 North Atlantic and Mediterranean convoys. I was transferred to the heavy cruiser USS Columbus (CA-74) in the fall of 1944.

We were on our way to Hawaii when a guy below yelled, “Ever heard of an atomic bomb?” I didn’t know it then, but I’m sure we would have left from Hawaii for the planned invasion of Japan.

Pond: I was aboard six different

Liberty ships as well as other troop ships and freighters, and made 108 circuits of the English Channel between Southampton and Le Havre, France.

We delivered troops and supplies and brought back soldiers who were going on leave. I also sailed in North Atlantic convoys.

n Q. What

actions did you participate in?

Cronin: Our destroyer squadron

had three confirmed U-boat kills combined in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. I felt sorry for those guys. They didn’t have a chance in a submarine.

It wasn’t combat-related, but Salty Richardson, a shipmate, got a “Dear John” letter from his wife. He waded into the water and took his own life.

That was tough.

We were also riding in a jeep in North Africa when we felt bullets whizzing by. I assume it was Arabs firing at us. Their guns looked like they had bamboo barrels but it didn’t slow the bullets down!

Pond: On April 20, 1944 — I remember the date because it was Hitler’s birthday — we got hit by a German aerial torpedo off the coast of Algeria and were ordered to abandon ship.

When we could see that the ship wasn’t going to sink, we reboarded and saved the ship. Everyone made it. Another Liberty ship in the convoy took a direct hit and was just obliterated — a tremendous loss of life. n Q. Did

your wartime experience prepare you for your career?

Cronin: I managed 650 workers at Heim Bearings in Fairfield, Conn., before leading Psycho-Cybernetics workshops. I worked hard in the Navy and hard after that. I wanted

to retire at 50 and did!

Pond: After my discharge, I started

out as a draftsman, became an engineer and eventually had my own company, Pond Technical Sales Inc., out of Hamden, Conn. We dealt with control valves, electronics, instrumentation and pneumatics. The turrets on a ship run on electronics. This was in the early days of mechanical electronics.

n Q. Do

you have any additional thoughts?

Cronin: My son Billy was with Delta

Force and was part of Operation Eagle Claw in 1980. They tried to rescue the American hostages in Iran. Unfortunately, the mission failed, but I’m very proud of him.

Pond: I’m a Republican, but when I

heard President Kennedy say, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” it meant a lot. I’d do something for my country again.

Five or six years ago, I was a guest of the Honor Flight Network, an organization that brings World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to see the new memorial. We had a police and motorcycle escort from Wolfeboro to the Massachusetts border, and then another escort to Logan. It was really something to see! I was deeply touched.

GO TO NHBR.COM TO READ MORE OF THIS INTERVIEW

31

APR I L 24 - MAY 7, 2020

FLOTSAM&JETSAM

Viral ‘movement’

Armed and contagious

LAKES REGION

No, your eyes weren’t playing tricks on you if you had a sense of déjà vu when you took a peek at the couple of hundred protesters gathered outside the House of State th’other day to insist they have the absolute right to get infected with the coronavirus and spread it around as much as they damn well please.

Yes folks, it’s the same cast of characters that populated the tea party a decade or so ago – an inorganic “movement” of a frustrated few fueled by national right-wing organizations eager to bull-in-a-china-shop their way through the U.S. political system.

This time, however, they’re even more heavily armed, “angrier,” and their message

NASHUA REGION

– at least so far – seems to be falling on less receptive ears.

But the cast o’characters is the same, for better or worse.

Among the “leaders” in NH is J.R. Hoell, a gun-lovin’ ex-state rep who has pushed – and still is pushing – to get rid of all gun laws. Including, for those not feeling safe enough these days, allowing the sale of fully automatic firearms.

Then there’s Andrew Manuse, another exstate rep, who told the UL in its coverage of the “protest”: “We know there’s a virus going on. We can choose to be safe, and take precautions as we see fit.”

Which is a thought that should scare pretty much anybody who took a look at the “crowd” that gathered that day at the House of State.

HITECTURE, ENGINEERING, HOSPITALS, BANKING, PERSONAL FINANCE, ENERGY ND JUMPS, IN BRIEF, FLOTSAM, LAW, OPINIONS, THE LATEST, ABOUT TOWN STRUCTION, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE,Speaking TOURISM,of NEWS, CHARITABLE MORE ONLINE caucus of of the Republican trouble, a peti- GIVING, nother TOURISM choice, CALENDAR, tion LAST was WORD the NH House of Reps. And, going around calling interestingly, at least 7 of ‘em on the guv to “reopen NH” are either full-blown Free stat.

Staters or Free Stater fellow Interestingly, some of the travelers. folks who signed the petition Just sayin’. were a group of members

Free State follies

The blame game It is passing strange that Guv Sununu is so eager to essentially bypass legislators when it comes to doling out the $1.25 bill. that the feds bestowed on NH through that CARES Act they did such a good job on.

That’s why he duked it out in court with Dem reps and senators to get a judge to rule that he doesn’t need that ol’ joint fiscal committee to perform any oversight.

After all, he appointed a committee of GOFERRs all by his lonesome that will make

sure everything’s a-OK. But, no matter where you stand on the matter – and there actually are good arguments for streamlining and speeding up the decision-making process – it makes you wonder why the guv would so willingly open himself up for criticism if – actually, when – some controversial decision on who gets what dough and who don’t raises its ugly head. And, without the real legislature chiming in, guess who gets all the blame?

You’d think he’d want to spread some of it around when that happens.

Sununu: Joint fiscal committee?

We don’t need your stinkin’ joint fiscal committee

MAKING THE ROUNDS  There’s another thing about the guv’s anti-joint fiscal committee mood: It’s becoming pretty apparent that Dan Feltes, Senate majority leader and Dem guv wannabe, has a special ability to get under the guv’s skin. And guess who’s a member of the fiscal committee. A member, by the way, who wasn’t asked to be a Guv GOFERR.

 Just a reminder to the NHGOP: Just because a candidate can self-fund his campaign (yes, Corky Messner, this means you) doesn’t mean the candidate, or the campaign, is any good. Just rich.

 No folks, it’s not your imagination.

Arkansas GOP Senator Tom Cotton is already making like a prez candidate – in 2024. And he may think he’s smart backing Don Bolduc in the NH GOP Senate primary, but he could be making a big mistake.

 For the record, it took a pandemic to get SOS Billy Gardner to agree to expand access to absentee ballots.

32

N EW HAM PSH I R E B USI N ESS R EVI EW

●

N H B R.C O M