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NewsLink
is a bi-weekly newsletter of the New Hampshire Municipal Association.
Its purpose is to keep you up-to-date on the latest information
of interest to municipal officials.
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After Elections, Please Update Your Official Rosters
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Please Update Your Official Roster and Membership Contact Information
After each town or city election, we ask our members to identify and update all newly-elected and reelected officials from your city or town. By this action, you will help us maintain the 2019-2020 New Hampshire Municipal Officials Directory as a valuable member resource.
NHMA relies on this vital information to reach municipal officials and staff with timely information regarding available training, program and services as well as important legal and legislative updates throughout the year. This publication is also used extensively as a valuable reference tool by city, town, school and other local government officials.
Please log onto
www.nhmunicipal.org and go to Member Directory Updates in the Member Toolbox. If you don't know who in your city or town has access to do this, please contact NHMA's Judy Pearson at
[email protected] or via phone at 230.3355. This is also a good time to update who receives a complimentary
New Hampshire Town and City magazine subscription as part of your membership with us.
Please update your official roster at your earliest convenience, but no later than May 31st! Thank you in advance for all your help.
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2019 Local Officials Workshops
Free Workshops for Seasoned and Newly Elected Officials!
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PROGRAM
9:00 am- 4:00 pm (
Registration begins at 8:30 am)
Continental breakfast will be provided.
12:00 noon -1:00 pm
(LUNCH ON YOUR OWN)
Time provided for attendees to get lunch!
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Presented by NHMA's Legal Services attorneys, these workshops provide municipal officials with tools and information to effectively serve their communities. Topics will include the Right-to-Know Law, ethics and conflicts, town governance, municipal roads, and more. Ample time allowed for questions, answers, and discussion.
Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of NHMA's 2019 edition of the publication,
Knowing the Territory.
Cancellation must be received 48 hours in advance. If cancellation is not received 48 hours in advance, NHMA will charge you $20 to cover workshop costs, including any meals.
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Have You Checked Out Our "On Demand" Training Presentation?
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So Members Can Get the Training They Need - When They Need It!
NHMA has a fee-for-service option
* - NHMA
On-Demand - so member municipalities can get the training they need when they need it. NHMA attorneys are available to travel to your city or town to present on certain training topics.
We encourage the requesting municipality to invite officials and employees from other NHMA member municipalities to attend and share the cost. To request an
On-Demand presentation, please send an email to
[email protected]
.
Each presentation is approximately 2 hours in length and costs $550.00.
* Member municipalities paying annual dues in excess of $15,000 are entitled to one free On-Demand presentation per calendar year.
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Regional Right-to-Know Law Workshops
Seacoast Region
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NHMA Regional Workshop: The Right-to-Know Law and Governmental Records
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Friday, May 3, 2019
Dover Police Department, Community Room
46 Chestnut Street, Dover, NH 03820
$35.00 without publication
$55.00 with publication, A Guide to Open Government: New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law
Join NHMA's Executive Director Margaret Byrnes and Municipal Services Counsel Natch Greyes who will share strategies to assist municipalities in handling governmental record matters arising under the Right-to-Know Law.
Handling governmental records requests requires an understanding of all aspects of request processing including: the requirements for availability, storage, electronic records, redaction, cost estimates, mandated access for certain records and appointments for review of records.
Guidance will be provided on determining what is a governmental record, and when and how access and copies of public records must be provided. This workshop will also address what records are exempt from disclosure, along with whether a record request that would require a search for multiple documents must be fulfilled or whether a request impermissibly seeks to create a record that does not exist. In addition, guidance will be provided on the retention of governmental records and how claims under the Right-to-Know Law are enforced.
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A Guide to Effective Code Enforcement Workshop
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A Guide To Effective Code Enforcement Workshop
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Friday, May 17, 2019
NHMA Offices, 25 Triangle Park Drive, Concord
Costs: $60, includes free supplement to A Guide to Effective Enforcement: Investigating and Enforcing Code and Land Use Violations
Building inspectors, code enforcement officers, fire chiefs, health inspectors, and various other municipal officials are responsible for the enforcement of a variety of codes, regulations, and ordinances related to the use of land. These include both local regulations, such as zoning ordinances, site plan and subdivision regulations, health regulations, and the conditions of approval that accompany many land use board approvals, as well as state law, such as the State Building and Fire Code and statutes governing junkyards.
Effectively enforcing these various codes and regulations can pose a challenge to municipalities.
Join Legal Services Counsel Stephen Buckley and Attorneys Matt Serge and Christine Fillmore from the law firm of Drummond Woodsum for this half-day workshop which will provide municipal officials with practical guidance on how to navigate the nuanced procedures associated with code enforcement, as well as practical advice in pursuing an enforcement action against non-compliant property owners. Our legal experts will address some of the most difficult issues under the law, including junkyards, dilapidated buildings, and health codes.
There will be ample time for questions and answers on all aspects of the law.
Attendees may wish to purchase in advance NHMA's publication, A Guide to Effective Enforcement: Investigating and Enforcing Code and Land Use Violations. Costs only $45. May be purchased at NHMA's Online Shop here:
www.nhmunicipal.org/shop.
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A Continuing Legal Education Seminar, hosted by NHMA and the New Hampshire Municipal Lawyers Association:
Exactions and Open Space: Avoiding Mistakes
Conservation Dedications: Doing it Right!
1:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
NHMA Offices, 25 Triangle Park Drive, Concord
$40 per attendee/Online Registration Only
As the economy improves, local governments will face proposals for development. Along with regulatory compliance issues, these proposals will continue to create concerns with open space and conservation lands and land use takings in the context of exactions and dedications involving the delicate use of "rational basis" and "rough proportionality."
This seminar includes:
* An overview of law associated with exactions and dedications;
* Analysis of the consequences of climate change for nature and people, and how municipal planning can help communities both contribute to mitigating the drivers and adapt to the consequences;
* Defensible strategies and techniques to create connected and resilient open spaces; and
* Dedication and exaction practices designed to meet legal standards.
Presenters include: Amy Manzelli, Esquire, BCM Environmental & Land Law, PLLC; Dr. David Patrick, Director of Conservation, The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire; and Daniel Crean, retired attorney and consultant at Crean Municipal Consultation Services.
As with all NHMLA/NHMA seminars, this is an educational seminar and is not intended to provide legal advice, and attendance or participation does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Registration includes materials delivered electronically - no hard copies of materials will be provided.
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Local Road Regulation & Enforcement: A New Hard Road to Travel
If you wish to be placed on a wait list, please contact NHMA's Ashley Methot at
[email protected] or 230.3340.
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USDOL Workshop:
How to Avoid Costly Mistakes - A Wage & Hour Compliance Workshop for Cities and Towns
9:00 am - 12:30 pm,
Friday, May 10, 2019
NHMA Offices, 25 Triangle Park Drive, Concord
Cost: $35.00
(Seating is limited to first 70 registrants)
Compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) can be complicated, and many municipal employers unintentionally violate the law with common mistakes such as failing to properly pay employees for hours worked, incorrectly computing overtime, or misapplying overtime exemptions.
Steven McKinney, the Community Outreach Specialist for the Northern New England District Office of the United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, will discuss some of the most common FLSA pitfalls and errors, how to avoid these costly mistakes, and options for correcting unintentional underpayment.
Other topics will include volunteers, compensatory time, special exemptions that may apply to local government.
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A Continuing Legal Education Seminar, hosted by NHMA and the New Hampshire Municipal Lawyers Association:
Managing Public Rights of Way: 5-G Deployments and Taxation
1:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Thursday, May 30, 2019
NHMA Offices, 25 Triangle Park Drive, Concord
$40 per attendee/Online Registration Only
This seminar will cover the evolving pressures on municipalities for access to public rights of way for wireless telecommunications, broadband fiber and traditional telephone and electrical poles and conduits, and the changing requirements for taxing private company uses of the public rights of way.
Both emerging technologies and new laws are challenging the way municipalities have traditionally managed their public rights of way, and being pro-active is the best approach. This seminar will provide specific guidance on staying ahead of these developments, with examples of documents and procedures.
Presenters include Kate Miller, Partner at DTC Lawyers and DTC Associate Brendan A. O'Donnell.
As with all NHMLA/NHMA seminars, this is an educational seminar and is not intended to provide legal advice, and attendance or participation does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Registration includes materials delivered electronically - no hard copies of materials will be provided.
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NHMA Webinar:
Legislative Half-time
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
It's legislative half-time and time for teams to swap ends of the field of play.
Join Executive Director Margaret M.L. Byrnes, Government Affairs Counsel Cordell Johnston, and Government Finance Advisor Barbara Reid for a look at the status of legislation affecting municipalities after "Crossover." Crossover is the date by which a bill must pass either the House or the Senate in order to "cross over" to the other chamber for consideration.
This webinar will discuss the current status of bills at the State House, and offer a postmortem on a few that have been killed. The discussion will include, among others, assessing issues, water quality standards, the Right-to-Know law, the retirement system, planning and zoning issues, election law matters, and of course, postponement of town meeting, and the biennial budget.
This webinar is open to NHMA members and is of interest to all municipal officials and employees.
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NHMA Webinar:
Who Not to Hire!
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
(Please note new date)
There are a lot of similarities between employees and volunteers - both groups need to be recruited and supported to be successful in working toward the same municipal mission. As we head towards the season for hiring for a variety of summer and recreational help, this webinar will serve as a much needed primer on New Hampshire employment law, volunteerism, best practices, and more.
Join Attorney Christine Fillmore of Drummond Woodsum and Kerry Horne, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Recreation and Park Association, who will review the policies and procedures that protect the safety of volunteers and the municipality, including youth employment restrictions, background checks, workers' compensation and liability issues.
Attendees will receive an electronic copy of Volunteer Manual, A Guidebook for Developing Policies and Procedures and Special Events Planning Guidebook, as resources for your town/city or event organizing committee.
This webinar is open to members of the New Hampshire Municipal Association and the New Hampshire Recreation and Parks Association and should be of interest to any municipal official that hires, manages or oversees recreational and seasonal employees and volunteers.
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Members Input Sought on Fire Service Training and Certification-Related Rules
Responses Due by April 24
The New Hampshire Fire Standards and Training Commission (NHFSTC) is responsible for the establishment of standards statewide for fire service related training curricula and issuing a certificate(s) upon successfully completing the related fire service courses.
The Commission is currently considering amending its administrative rules in order to clarify what specific infractions warrant revoking a New Hampshire firefighter's certification and, as a separate matter, is also considering establishing a voluntary credentialing process for various disciplines in the New Hampshire fire service that recognizes those fire service members who complete ongoing professional development beyond just completing a one time series of courses that result in issuance of a certificate.
Below are links to two brief surveys for each topic, if you could spare just a few short minutes to provide your feedback on these topics, it would be much appreciated.
The Commission is hoping to have your feedback submitted by April 24, 2019.
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(Space is limited so register early). Please consider the environment prior to printing ticket or confirmation.
Credits: 4.5 Total contact hours (TCHs)/0.45 Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) will be awarded to NH certified drinking water, wastewater operators and engineers who attend the entire workshop. Questions/Contact: Emily Nichols, NHDES at 603-271-8320 or [email protected].
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Thursday, May 16, 2019
Grappone Conference Center, Concord
Costs: $65 includes lunch and refreshments
Clean drinking water is vital to public health and the potential for future economic development. Even very small quantities of contaminating substances in lakes, rivers, or aquifers can limit their use as sources of clean drinking water. Local land use policy, open space planning, and conservation tailored to protecting these resources promote public health and ensure a long-term supply of clean drinking water. Consequently, there are important roles for local officials to play in protecting currently operating public water systems as well as water resources that can serve as future sources of drinking water.
Each year, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) convenes a conference concerning how to protect local drinking water resources that is designed for local planners, conservation commissioners, water supply managers, and other local leaders. This conference has become the largest drinking water "source protection" event in New England and is the only statewide event focused solely on how to protect local sources of drinking water.
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) will hold its 2019 Drinking Water Source Protection Conference on Thursday, May 16, at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH. This year's conference will feature presentations on:
- The statewide private well sampling initiative
- Long-term water source planning
- Updates to NH's drinking water source protection strategy
- Drinking water source protection priorities at the national, regional, and state level
- Projects related to lake management, land conservation, and public health
....and many more interesting source protection topics!
The conference fee is $65 and includes lunch and refreshments. Qualifies for 5.0 Technical Credit Hours toward the New Hampshire Water Works Operator Certification Program.
Registration questions? Contact Andrew Stone at AGWT:
[email protected] or 603-228-5444.
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25th Annual Spring Planning & Zoning Conference
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Grappone Conference Center
70 Constitution Avenue, Concord
Costs: $65 includes lunch and refreshments
Registration is now open for the 25th Annual Spring Planning and Zoning Conference!
Conference is already 60% sold-out. Reserve your seat today!
Please visit the
conference website
for additional information about the conference including the agenda and to register. Space is limited to the first 360 participants so please register early.
Registration questions? Contact Noah Hodgetts at 603.271.2157 or via email at
[email protected].
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New Current Use Assessment Ranges - Effective April 1, 2019
The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration recently announced the new assessment ranges for land in current use. The following ranges are effective for the property tax year beginning April 1, 2019:
Forest Land Categories:
White Pine $118 - $176 per acre
Hardwood $57 - $86 per acre
Other $38 - $57 per acre
Forest Land Categories with Documented Stewardship:
White Pine $71 - $106 per acre
Hardwood $34 - $52 per acre
Other $23 - $34 per acre
Unproductive Land and Wetland:
$23 per acre
Farmland:
$25 - $425 per acre
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Updated Current Use Criteria Booklet Available
The Current Use Board (CUB) recently issued an updated Current Use Criteria Booklet effective for the property tax year beginning April 1, 2019. The booklet contains the law governing current use (RSA 79-A), the most recently adopted current use administrative rules (Cub chapters 100, 200 and 300) and a "handbook" section that summarizes the law, rules and other provisions of current use. Copies of the booklet are available on the
Current Use page of the Department of Revenue Administration's website, or by
clicking here.
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NHDES Readopting with Changes Youth Recreation and Skills Camps Rules
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) is proposing to readopt with amendment the following existing administrative rules: Env-Wq 900, which implement RSA 485-A:24 relative to youth recreation camps (YRCs) and youth skills camps (YSCs). Env-Wq 904 establishes requirements for YRC staff, and Env-Wq 907 establishes health care requirements, including health care staffing requirements.
Amendments are being proposed to (1) prohibit owners of YRCs convicted of certain criminal offenses from working directly with campers, and (2) to make the health care staffing requirements consistent for day and residence camps operated for both campers who are physically or mentally disabled and those who are not. The proposed amendments also would extend health care staffing requirements, which currently apply only to overnight camping trips, to all off-site trips. Finally, the proposed amendments would clarify that health care staffing requirements apply only when campers are present.
The rulemaking notices and initial proposals for Env-Wq 900 are available on-line here.
The public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 10:00 am in Room 213 of the NHDES Offices at 29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH. The deadline for submission of written comments is 4:00 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2019. Comments should be directed to:
Holly Green, DWGB Rules Coordinator
NH Department of Environmental Services
Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau,
P.O. Box 95,
Concord, NH 03302
Phone: 603-271-3114
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NRRA Workshops -
Yes In My Backyard! Trainings
Learn composting basics and techniques, waste audit methodologies and safe handling of batteries. The YIMBY! workshops designed specifically for solid waste facility operators, schools and businesses will help attendees: Learn organics management techniques as you navigate the organics waste stream; Increase your understanding of the best management practices for waste batteries; connect with community waste reduction efforts; and earn credits for professional development and
certification.
Upcoming Workshop dates and locations
May 2, 2019: Pease Public Library, Plymouth, NH
To learn more about these workshops and how to register: https://nrra.net/resources/usda-grant-presentations-webinars/
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National League of Cities: Frequently Asked Questions and the 2020 Census
Residents frequently turn to local leaders with questions and concerns related to the census-this will be doubly true with the many changes to the upcoming 2020 Census.
After reviewing frequently asked questions, NLC compiled a list of answers and responses that will set your community at ease. These originally appeared in NLC's report, Preparing for the 2020 Census.
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NewsLink will periodically feature a segment that highlights recognition of our members (and any other good news that deserve notice) in a new segment called "Members in the News."
So please send any recognitions, awards, distinctions or any other news worthy items to us at
[email protected]. The emphasis is on good news and/or stories of how municipal professionals are transforming the way we serve our residents every day.
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It's Historic!
Webster's All Female Select Board
The Concord Monitor (www.concordmonitor.com)
recently reported that for the first time in its history, the Town of Webster's select board is comprised of all women. Congratulations to Nanci Schofield, Bianca Acebron Peco and Chris Schadler in their new and seasoned roles as Webster's top officials. Click here for the online Concord Monitor article dated April 8, 2019.
Women have held more political positions in New Hampshire than in most other states. According to Wikipedia, since 1975, women have made up at least one quarter of the New Hampshire's State Legislature. After the 2008 elections, women held the majority in the New Hampshire State Senate, a first for any legislative body in the country. Following the 2012 elections, New Hampshire had the first all-female congressional delegation in the country.
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April 10th TRIVIA QUESTION:
Name the New Hampshire city or town which was once known as New Hampshire Number 5. It houses Contoocook, Hatfield Corner, Tyler, Barton's Corner, Drew Lake, Blackwater District, and Gould Hill District.
Please send your response to
[email protected]
. A winner will be recognized in the next
NewsLink
issue and be eligible for a grand prize of no particular value whatsoever at the end of the year.
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March 27th TRIVIA QUESTION:
Name the New Hampshire town that was known as a fort town and houses four covered bridges. It is also home to the Potash Bowl which hosts the third oldest outdoor theatre that continues to host plays. For nearly 75 years, the Bowl has hosted a community production of Denman Thompson's The Old Homestead, a four act play of life in this small town during the 1880's.
Correct Response: Town of Swanzey
March 27th Winner: Jen Collins, Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector, Town of Alton
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Benefit Plans for the Public Sector
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Before you act on an employment or labor issue,
call the
Drummond Woodsum
EMPLOYMENT LAW HOTLINE
@ 623.2500
The Employment Law Hotline is an NHMA Member Benefit
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SAVE THESE DATES - UPCOMING EVENTS!
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NewsLink. It's free. Subscribe today!
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New Hampshire Municipal Association, 25 Triangle Park Drive, Concord, NH 03301
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