 |
|
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.
|
|
Please Share this Event Notice with Your Staff
|
|
Network with municipal officials from New Hampshire cities and towns
Choose from over 50 program sessions designed to educate and inform
Explore products and services with over 100 exhibitors and sponsors
|
|
Please Share this Event Notice with Your Staff
|
|
2018 Registration Rates & Deadlines
Registration fees include all conference sessions, materials and meals.
You must be an NHMA member municipality (employee, elected or appointed official), or a member of an NHMA Affiliate Group to attend.
MEMBER RATES:
Early Bird! If paid by October 18, 2018
One Day: $75.00
Two Days: $125.00
Paid after October 18, 2018
One Day: $100.00
Two Days: $150.00
NON-MEMBER RATES:
For Affiliate Group members from a non-member municipality.
One Day: $150.00
Two Days: $200.00
|
|
You Won't Want to Miss Our Keynote Speaker,
Rebecca Rule
|
|
Opening our conference at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Rebecca Rule will share her legendary dry humor as well as down-home wisdom.
Becky literally wrote the book about New Hampshire town meetings. As author of "Moved and Seconded," she knows as much about New Hampshire town meeting as most local officials do.
Join us Wednesday morning at 9:00 am as Becky will inspire you to appreciate this unique institution with a storied past even more.
|
|
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
|
|
Mobile App Sponsor: Peter J. Reimer, LLC
|
|
Support Donation:
Hilton DoubleTree Manchester Downtown Hotel
|
|
2018 Municipal Law Lecture Series:
Join Us for Full Day Workshop on October 20!
|
Full Day Workshop Set for Saturday, October 20, 2018
Please consider the full-day Municipal Law Lecture workshop planned for Saturday, October 20th at NHMA offices in Concord. Cost is $100, includes continental breakfast and program materials. Program runs from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Pre-registration is required.
|
|
Check Out Our Right-to-Know Law Workshop in October!
|
|
NHMA Right-to-Know Law Workshop:
The Right-to-Know Law and Governmental Records
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
NHMA Offices, 25 Triangle Park Drive, Concord
Workshop fee is $75.00, includes continental breakfast and publication, A Guide to Open Government: New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law.
Join NHMA's Legal Services Counsel Stephen Buckley and Staff Attorney Margaret Byrnes 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.
Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8:30 am.
|
|
Upcoming Webinars -
Training Without Leaving Your Office!
|
|
NHMA Webinar: The Role of the Local Health Officer 101
12:00 noon - 1:00 pm
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
All municipalities in New Hampshire are required to appoint and support a local health officer in order to protect public health - yet their role and powers are not always clear to municipal officials.
Health officers have the responsibility to inspect schools, daycare, and foster homes, as well as, enforce actions regarding waste and housing. The range of health issues can be complex and challenging such as neighborhood disputes; junk, clutter and hoarding; rental housing standards; as well as nuisance noise, odors and waste.
Join the Town of Farmington's Code Enforcement/Health Officer, Dennis Roseberry, and Town of Salem's Health Officer, Brian Lockard, who will discuss the role and powers of the municipal health officer. These presenters will discuss the approaches available to local officials to investigate, gather useful evidence, enforce applicable laws, and otherwise take effective enforcement action to protect public health and safety.
This webinar is open to members of the New Hampshire Municipal Association and the New Hampshire Health Officers Association.
|
|
NHMA Webinar: Municipal Trustees Training
12:00 noon - 1:00 pm
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Municipal trustees (cemetery trustees, library trustees, trustees of trust funds) have very important and varied duties. Because municipal trustees hold volunteer positions, this webinar is geared to give you the tools you need to perform your duties legally.
Join Terry M. Knowles, Assistant Director with the Charitable Trusts Unit in the State's Attorney General's Office, who will explore the complexities of public versus private money and the role trustees play in the municipal appropriations process.
Come learn how to carry out your municipal trustee duties and how best to administer the trusts for which are under your control and supervision.
This webinar is open to members of the New Hampshire Municipal Association, the New Hampshire Library Trustees Association, Trustees of Trust Funds, and the New Hampshire Cemetery Association.
|
|
NHMA Webinar: How We Fund Public Services in New Hampshire
12:00 noon - 1:00 pm
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
How are the programs and services provided by different levels of New Hampshire government funded?
What role does the state have in funding these programs and services?
Many people think of the property tax as a primary funding source, but there are a range of other revenue streams that we rely on to fund public services such as education, child care and protection, public safety and health, roads and bridges, and environmental programs. Public services at the state level are funded through
a collection of tax, fee, and enterprise revenue sources, with different degrees of variation due to economic cycles. Federal funds also support a broad range of programs and services at the state and local levels.
Join New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute's Policy Analyst Phil Sletten and NHMA's Government Finance Advisor Barbara Reid for this presentation, which will explain the primary revenue sources we rely on to fund public services in New Hampshire and some key policy decisions that have had effects on state and local revenues. It will also review the interplay with federal funds and the impact potential federal budget decisions could have on public services here in New Hampshire. There will be ample time for audience question and answer session.
This webinar is open to members of the New Hampshire Municipal Association.
|
|
Check Out Special
Legislative Bulletin!
|
(September 13, 2018 e-Edition)
Bipartisan Support Can Provide Municipal Property Tax Relief
Column Written by Scott Myers, Laconia City Manager
(Members are encouraged to share this article with your local legislative delegation)
As we move forward to the general election, we must remember that state leaders can provide municipal property tax relief through their work on the next state biennium budget and I am asking that they make municipal property tax relief a priority. Local officials and others are well aware of the state's approach in being fiscally conservative and cautious with revenue projections and spending. The same budgetary challenges are also found at the municipal level as community leaders struggle to find ways to provide needed services and at the same time try not to overburden residents with property tax increases.
|
|
NHDES to Hold Technical Work Session on Setting Drinking Water and Groundwater Standards
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) will hold three work sessions in October to engage stakeholders on setting public drinking water and groundwater standards for certain Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances.
These work sessions will be held to receive technical information as well as to inform stakeholders of NHDES' process for deriving the Maximum Contaminant Limits (MCLs), which, by law, then become the Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards (AGQSs,) for these PFAS compounds. NHDES is also soliciting input on approach, data and studies to be used for setting these MCLs. These work sessions are for technical comments only - a general public comment period will be provided as part of the official rulemaking process, which is scheduled to begin in January 2019
.
Meeting Information:
Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 5-7 p.m.
Talent Hall Community Center
2 Wood Hawk Way, Litchfield, NH 03052
Thursday, October 18, 2018, 5-7 p.m.
NHDES Office at Pease Tradeport
222 International Drive, Suite #175
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Friday, October 19, 2018, 1-3 p.m.
NHDES Office
29 Hazen Drive, Room 208C
Concord, NH 03302
|
|
New Hampshire Bar Association, Municipal & Governmental Law Section, Hosts Session on Voting Accessibility
Event is free and municipal officials are encouraged to attend
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm, Wednesday, October 17, 2018
NHMA Offices, 25 Triangle Park Drive, Concord
On October 17, the Municipal & Governmental Law Section of the New Hampshire Bar Association will be holding a meeting about voting accessibility.
Attorney James Ziegra, a staff attorney with the Disability Rights Center - NH, will
speak about HAVA (Help America Vote Act), voting accessibility and demonstrating the new accessible voting ("AVS") machine. Ziegra will be joined by two blind advocates, Jean Shiner and Dana Trahan, who will discuss their efforts to have the Town of Exeter provide the AVS for local elections as well as other ways individuals with disabilities have attempted to move their towns to provide accessible voting during local elections.
Although these meetings are usually just for municipal and governmental attorneys, the Bar Section is opening this meeting up to municipal officials. This presentation will be of interest to election officials, including moderators, town clerks, select board members, and supervisors of the checklist.
There is no charge for attending, but you must RSVP to NHMA's Margaret Byrnes, Chair of the Section, at
[email protected].
|
|
NHDOS Proposes Changes to EMS Administrative Rules
The New Hampshire Department of Safety (NHDOS) is proposing to readopt with amendments administrative rule Saf-C 5900 dealing with emergency medical services (EMS
). According to the rulemaking notice, these rules set forth the licensure, training, and testing of all licensed EMS providers; regulate the communication network between EMS providers, units, and medical resource hospitals; regulate the minimum requirements for the safe transportation of sick and injured patients by emergency medical vehicles; specify the requisite data collection and reporting by licensed EMS providers and units; set forth a quality management program for EMS providers who implement one; outline the relationship between EMS units and hospitals; and provide for the procedures for investigating complaints of licensed EMS providers and units.
The proposed rules update the certification and licensing terminology to reflect the current certification levels of the National Registry of EMTs, adds a new $2000 administrative penalty for failure to submit records, and changes certain requirements within the training and education of EMS providers throughout the state. The minimum equipment that is required to be on a licensed vehicle has also been updated and reformatted to match the current needs of the EMS system, and items have been removed or been listed in an easier to understand fashion.
Copies of the proposed rule are available by contacting Marta Modigliani at 603-227-0040 or [email protected]. Public hearings on the proposed rule are scheduled as listed below. The deadline for submission of written comments is 8:15 a.m. on October 30, 2018.
Dates and Locations of Public Hearings on Saf-C 5900:
10/15/18 at 6:00 p.m.: Epping Fire Station, 37 Pleasant St, Epping
10/17/18 at 9:00 a.m.: NH Fire Academy & EMS Auditorium, 98 Smokey Bear Blvd, Concord
10/17/18 at 6:00 p.m.: North Country Fire & EMS Training Facility, 660 Trudeau Rd, Bethlehem
10/22/18 at 6:00 p.m.: Monadnock Community Hospital, 452 Old Street Rd, Peterborough
|
|
New Hampshire's Clean Diesel Program Provides Rebates to Help You Upgrade Your Equipment and Vehicles
The New Hampshire's Clean Diesel Program provides rebates to help you upgrade your equipment and vehicles. NHDES will have funds available in October 2018 through the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Diesel
Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program to help diesel equipment owners in New Hampshire to reduce emissions.
Timeframe for applications:
Round 1 of funding applications accepted October 1st through October 22nd
Round 2 of funding (if needed) applications accepted October 23rd through November 16th
Round 3 of funding (if needed) applications accepted November 17th through December 14th
How do I apply?
The project proposal form is short and simple. Just let NHDES know about your diesel emission reduction project and they will review it. All eligible applicants and projects will be considered and selection will be based upon certain criteria, including potential emissions reduction, where the vehicles/equipment will operate, impacts to nearby populations, and other factors including secondary benefits (e.g. impacts on water quality and societal benefit). If you have presented a viable project NHDES will contact you for additional information.
Things to know:
● Replacement projects are only eligible for funding if the equipment is being replaced in advance of a normal replacement schedule. Vehicles scheduled for replacement prior to three years from the start date of the project are not eligible. Applicants will be required to document that the project is an early replacement.
● Replaced vehicle and engines must be destroyed.
● Recipients must fund the project and request reimbursement. No project costs may be incurred prior to approval of the grant agreement by the Governor and Executive Council.
● Quarterly reports on operating details of the vehicle must be submitted to NHDES for a period of up to three years.
● Grant recipients must comply with EPA DERA program requirements - See:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-02/documents/fy17-state-program-guide-2017-02.pdf
For more information contact Elizabeth Strachan at the contact information below.
[email protected] or phone (603) 271-8330
|
|
National Civic League Now Accepting Applications for 2019 All-America City Award
Applications Due March 5, 2019
The National Civic League (NCL) is accepting applications
for the 2019 All-America City Award, focused on celebrating examples of civic engagement practices that advance health equity in local communities. NCL is looking for communities that demonstrate inclusive decision-making processes to create better health for all, and particularly for populations currently experiencing poorer health outcomes.
The National Civic League views civic engagement as more than presenting information or having people respond to questionnaires (though both are important); instead, we promote efforts that seek to listen to, and learn from, residents in ongoing conversations and leverage those insights to shape the way programs are administered, designed and executed.
Started in 1949, the All-America City Award program has recognized 500 communities that excel in collaborating to address pressing problems in the community.
In New Hampshire, one community has won the All-America City Award.
Cities interested in applying for the All-America City Award should submit a letter of intent to apply by November 14th, which saves applicants $100 on the application fee. Please note: a letter of intent is not required to apply. The a
pplication can be downloaded here
and is due March 5, 2019.
|
|
NHRS Releases GASB 75 Reports for Employers
Information in the reports will help employers comply with new financial reporting standards
The New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS) has released two reports concerning the implementation of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 75, which impacts financial reporting for some participating employers. These reports deal with financial reporting for other post-employment benefits (OPEB). OPEB refers to the benefits - other than pensions - that a state or local government employee receives upon retirement. The most significant OPEB offering is typically retiree medical insurance, though other benefits such as life insurance are also covered by this umbrella term. For GASB purposes, the NHRS Medical Subsidy is an OPEB benefit.
GASB Statement No. 75, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions, took effect for governmental employers with fiscal years ending June 30, 2018, or later. This statement makes changes to the financial reporting framework for OPEB benefits and requires additional disclosures and required supplementary information. GASB 75 requires NHRS participating governmental employers to report their proportionate share of the net OPEB liability and expense on their financial statements. However, employers need to be cognizant of the fact that while NHRS is providing employer-level GASB 75 liability and expense information regarding the Medical Subsidy, an employer may have additional OPEB liabilities which require reporting under GASB 75, such as employer-funded health care benefits or life insurance for retirees. NHRS advises employers to review the impact and requirements of GASB Statement 75 with their auditors. The reports are:
- GASB Statement No. 75, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefits other than Pensions (June 30, 2017) ("GRS Report") - Prepared by GRS, the retirement system's independent actuary.
- Schedule of Employer Allocations and Schedule of OPEB Amounts by Employer (June 30, 2017) ("KPMG Report") - Prepared by NHRS and audited by KPMG, an independent external auditor.
Both reports are available here. These reports are for employers with a fiscal year ending on or after June 30, 2018. Updated reports will be issued in early 2019 for employers with a fiscal year ending on or after December 31, 2018. NHRS emphasizes that this data is for accounting and financial reporting purposes only and will not impact future NHRS employer contribution rates or local property tax rates. In an effort to assist participating employers with the implementation of GASB 75, the retirement system has developed a list of frequently asked questions, FAQ: GASB 75.
|
|
CDFA Seeking Public Comment on Draft 2019 Action Plan
The Draft 2018 Action Plan Substantial Amendment and the Draft 2019 Action Plan concerning the use and distribution of HUD block grants to the State of New Hampshire including Community Development Block Grant, HOME, and Emergency Solutions Grant will be available for review and comment at
https://www.nhhfa.org/consolidated-plan.
A public comment period will extend from then through
October 30, 2018. Written comments can be submitted by mail or email sent to:
Draft 2018 Action Plan Amendment and 2019 Action Plan Comments
New Hampshire Housing
PO Box 5087
Manchester, NH 03108
Verbal comments will be accepted at a public hearing on
Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 2:00 to 4:00 pm in the Board Room of New Hampshire Housing, 32 Constitution Drive, Bedford, NH. Please call 603-310-9269 if you will require any accommodations in order to participate in this meeting or have any questions.
|
|
Five Takeaways for Municipalities from the FCC's Small Cell Preemption Order
The order will go into effect 90 days after publication of the final version in the Federal Register and will:
- Shorten the time cities have to process applications for small cells to either 60 or 90 days, depending on whether they are being mounted on an existing or new structure;
- Limit application fees for small cells to $100 per site, and recurring fees to $270 per site, per year, for small cells in the rights-of-way;
- Prohibit cities and towns from assessing fees that include anything other than a "reasonable approximation" of "reasonable costs" directly related to maintaining the rights-of-way and the small cell facility; and
- Limit aesthetic review and requirements (including undergrounding and historic/environmental requirements) to those that are reasonable, comparable to requirements for other rights-of-way users, and published in advance.
|
October 10 TRIVIA QUESTION:
Name the New Hampshire town or city which has been known as "Dantzic," "Hereford," and "Fisherfield." It houses Edgement, Pine Cliff, Box Corner and Chalk Pond. It is also known as the home to
the famous
"Chicken Farmer I Still Love You" rock.
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.
|
September 26th TRIVIA QUESTION:
Name the New Hampshire town or city which was originally known as Freetown because it was exempt from the usual obligation of reserving its tall pine trees for masts in the Royal English Navy. It was also known as Chester and Beverly-Canada for a short time. It is reported to have been purchased from the Sagamore Indians.
Correct Response: Town of Raymond
September 26th Winner: Bill Moses, Clerk, North Walpole Village District
|
|
US Census Bureau Seeking Recruiting Assistants
The US Census Bureau is now accepting applications for Recruiting Assistants in
Keene, Manchester, Concord, Claremont, Lancaster, Littleton and Portsmouth
.
Recruiting Assistants will travel throughout geographic areas to visit with community-based organizations, attend promotional events and conduct other recruiting activities.
|
|
Benefit Plans for the Public Sector
|
|
Before you act on an employment or labor issue,
call the
Drummond Woodsum
EMPLOYMENT LAW HOTLINE
The Employment Law Hotline is an NHMA Member Benefit
|
|
Please Forward
NewsLink to Your Fellow Workers!
|
|
New Hampshire Municipal Association, 25 Triangle Park Drive, Concord, NH 03301
|
|
|
|
|
|
