NH Legislative Event Held At Cottage Hospital
In her opening remarks for the legislative breakfast held at the hospital on Monday, March 9, 2026, she offered that she had been employed at the hospital for the past 16 years, with her being at the top post of the hospital that was established back in the early 1900’s for the past five years.
By Bernie Marvin
Cottage Hospital CEO and President Holly McCormack, DNP, RN, speaking at right, addresses a gathering of government and municipal officials recently at the Cottage Hospital Legislative Breakfast. The popular event is held annually and offers an opportunity for the hospital to discuss up-to-date programs and figures with legislators. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin
Woodsville, NH - Cottage Hospital President and CEO Holly McCormack, DNP, RN, told a gathering of legislators and officers of the New Hampshire Hospital Association that the renowned health magazine Becker’s Healthcare recently named Cottage Hospital as one of the top 150 places to work in the field of medicine.
In her opening remarks for the legislative breakfast held at the hospital on Monday, March 9, 2026, she offered that she had been employed at the hospital for the past 16 years, with her being at the top post of the hospital that was established back in the early 1900’s for the past five years.
She told her guests at the early morning event that the hospital was a very special and unique place. It was an independent critical access hospital, and it is the largest employer in the community, with approximately 200 employees with benefits and a total of 300, which includes a per diem staff.
She reported that the hospital, although faced with a negative 16 percent operating margin, had to recruit a local permanent workforce in place of a temporary travel workforce that the hospital had been relying on. By investing in local talent, the hospital reduced the travel labor costs by 118 percent and restored the continuity of care for the patients. The changes made a significant difference to the fiscal year bottom line last year.
CEO McCormack cited many instances of government requirements being placed on her hospital. She said each day the hospital is required to provide more and more resources to manage the regulatory requirements, reporting and administrative tasks associated with caring for our patients.
“It takes more than a village to care for rural America,” she said, “but it starts here with the help of each of you at the town, state and federal level. Your attendance here this morning demonstrates your support. We will keep fighting for the privilege of caring for our community. We ask for your support in protecting cost-based reimbursement, strengthening workforce, and reducing the administrative barriers that pull caregivers away from patients. Our vision is simple, a rural healthcare system where everyone, no matter their age, income or zip code- can access high quality care close to home,” she said in closing.
Also speaking at a legislative breakfast were President of the New Hampshire Hospital Association Steve Ahnen; Vice President of the State Government Relations Board of the New Hampshire Hospital Association Ben Bradley; Special Assistant for Projects and Policies for Senator Jeanne Shaheenís office Chuck Anderson; New Hampshire District 1 Senator David Rochefort; Executive Councilwoman Karen Liot Hill and Haverhill Town Administrator Tom Galinat.
Woodsville Water is Being Hauled to Wells River
The agency noted that the potential risks involved indicate that fuel oil can contaminate groundwater and drinking water sources, potentially posing health risks to consumers. The long-term effects, they said, depend on the extent of contamination and the effectiveness of cleanup efforts. The spill could have long-term environmental consequences.
By Bernie Marvin
Woodsville, NH – Kevin Shelton, Fire District Administrator for Woodsville, reported to the Bridge Weekly this week that his district is providing water for Wells River residents to use.
This program was established recently after the early January 2025 fuel oil spill became a potential threat to the district’s 219 water users. Recent comments from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources indicated that a January 2025 fuel oil spill in Wells River, Vermont, near the village’s public water supply, has prompted monitoring by local and state officials.
The location of the spill, officials noted, was in the basement of the Evernorth-owned Baldwin Block, a mixed-use building on Route 302 in Wells River. They say approximately 600 gallons of fuel oil were spilled. As of April 2025, the agency reported that “while initial reports in February 2025 indicated no impact on the public water supply, oil was detected in the village test well in April 2025, raising concerns about potential threats to the public water system serving 219 customers.”
The agency noted that the potential risks involved indicate that fuel oil can contaminate groundwater and drinking water sources, potentially posing health risks to consumers. The long-term effects, they said, depend on the extent of contamination and the effectiveness of cleanup efforts. The spill could have long-term environmental consequences.
The Vermont spill program assesses the environmental impact of spills, oversees cleanup efforts, and enforces relevant regulations. Spills of hazardous materials, such as fuel oil, that reach the ground or water should be reported to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
The agency emphasized the importance of the public staying informed about developments related to this bill and being aware of any potential issues or warnings issued by local and state authorities. They advised the public to contact the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation or the Village of Wells River for the latest information on the situation.
Local Wells River District information was issued to the public two weeks ago by Wells River Village Clerk Mary Schilke in an “Urgent notice to all village water system customers request for voluntary water conservation measures” she outlined the situation describing that due to a spill of fuel oil in the vicinity of the villages well, the only water source, “there is a high potential for the well to be contaminated. In response, the village will discontinue using the well, effective Monday, July 21, 2025, and will commence bulk water hauling, utilizing tankers to transport water from the Woodsville Fire District to the village’s storage tank. This operation will be very costly, and for this reason, the village trustees are respectfully requesting that all water customers attempt to limit water usage during this emergency condition.” Her telephone number is 802-757-3401.
Ms. Schilke noted in her release that the contamination is an issue that is expected to impact the ability to use the well for an extended period of time, possibly years. The village, she said, is proceeding with actions to provide a longer term but is still working on temporary solutions.
“The village is also proceeding with actions to search for and drill a new well source that could possibly replace the existing well. Both of these options will take time to plan and implement, hence the need for bulk hauling in the immediate term, which may extend through the end of the year.”
Woodsville Fire District Administrator Shelton said that Wells River is receiving water from the Woodsville water system. “We have plenty of daily capacity to assist,” he said recently. The water shuttle trucks are receiving water through a hydrant at the Woodsville Community Field, which has a potable water connection and verified to have a chlorine residual.
He added that the residual must be present to ensure there is no danger from bacteria. It is added at the treatment plant and is monitored at several points in the system to ensure its presence, Shelton said.
He said that, to his knowledge, this is the first time that the Woodsville Fire District has provided emergency water services to Wells River. He said it is a unique situation, and with winter a few months away, the temporary solution will need to be modified.