7 minute read
Happenings
City of Portsmouth Earns Awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting
The City of Portsmouth has received Awards of Excellence from the Government Financial Officers Association for the Popular Annual Financial Report (5th year), Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (29th year) and the Budget Presentation. This is the second year in a row that Portsmouth’s Finance Department has won the GFOA Triple Crown for winning all three reporting Excellence Awards and again Portsmouth is the only Triple Crown winner in New Hampshire and one of just two in New England (the other was Newport RI). The GFOA is a professional organization of public officials united to enhance and promote the professional management of governmental financial resources by identifying, developing and advancing fiscal strategies, policies and practices for the public benefit.
The FY21 Popular Annual Financial Report and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report can be found on the Finance Department’s Documents page: https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/finance/proposedadopted-budgets-and-financial-reports.
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) recently presented the 2022 Asset Management Awards, established to promote, and encourage communities to develop and implement Asset Management Programs (AMPs) to the Plymouth Village Water and Sewer District (PVWSD). AMPs are a holistic approach to managing total infrastructure systems over the life cycle of assets in the most cost-effective way.
In 2019, the NHDES Asset Management Award was established by the NHDES Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau (DWGB), Wastewater Engineering Bureau (WWEB) and Watershed Management Bureau (WMB). The award recognizes exemplary AMPs within the State. Solicitation of nominees provided exceptional candidates. This year’s award to PVWSD highlights not only AMP implementation but also continued expansion of its program and creating a cultural shift along the way. PVWSD staff also serve as mentors for other utilities.
NHDES recognizes PVWSD for this award in acknowledgement of the work related to development of their AMP and in their willingness to communicate the value of that AMP to the public. PVWSD has embraced the idea and the concepts of turning data into dollars by using its resources and most importantly, its AMP. PVWSD operates a sustainable and resilient water and wastewater utility at a level of service that is acceptable to PVWSD customers by leveraging the most effective asset management techniques and resources available. PVWSD has adopted a road map allowing them to maximize the life expectancy of their assets but also one that identifies a short- and long-term funding strategy to ensure that assets are continuously providing the level of service expected by the stakeholders.
Network optimization, here we come.
All over the northeast, indus hits the road to make the roads better. Whether you need Fog Seal, Rejuvenator, Crack Seal, Micro Surfacing, Cape Seal, Cold In-place Recycling, or Paver-placed SFDR, we can always help. Call Todd at 603.296.7662. Then keep on the lookout. We’ll be there before you know it.
Always commitment. indusinc.com
Your indus Regional Manager:
Todd Connors, P.E. Regional Manager todd.connors@indusinc.com 603.296.7662
HAPPENINGS from page 5
More than $1 million in Land and Water Conservation Funds Awarded to Communities for Outdoor Recreation Projects
The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation recently announced that seven communities across the state will receive a total of $1,064,931.50 in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants to assist with public outdoor recreational projects.
Established by the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, the LWCF provides 50/50 matching grants to state and local governments for the development or renovation of recreational support facilities, land acquisition for outdoor recreational areas, or projects that include elements of both development and acquisition.
The fund is a commitment to safeguard natural areas, water resources and cultural heritage, thereby providing recreation opportunities to all.
Projects receiving 2022 Land and Water Conservation Fund grants in New Hampshire are: - Discovery Park; Town of Goshen; $74,614 - Fernald Park; Town of Farmington; $62,500 - Gregg Lake Beach Park II; Town of Antrim; $165,000 - Gorham Commons II; Town of Gorham; $83,880 - Piermont Community Playground; Piermont School District; $68,000 - Storrs Hill Ski Area II; City of Lebanon; $400,000 - Timberlane Public Track; Timberlane Regional School District; $210,937.50
LWCF is administered at the national level by the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service and managed in New Hampshire by the Division of Parks and Recreation, including coordinating grant rounds for project funding and monitoring past project sites for program compliance.
Since 1965, nearly $50 million in LWCF grants have been awarded to New Hampshire cities and towns across all of the state’s ten counties, resulting in almost $100 million invested in public outdoor recreation projects.
Important Date Calendars Now Available For Member Download
Go to the Resources and Publications section on NHMA’s website (www.nhmunicipal.org) to download your 2023 Important Date Calendars which detail important dates and deadlines for March and May traditional meetings and March, April and May SB2 meetings, as well as a general calendar.
2022 Important Dates General Calendar 2023 Important Dates General Calendar 2023 Important Dates - SB2 March Town Meeting 2023 Important Dates - SB2 April Town Meeting 2023 Important Dates - SB2 May Town Meeting 2023 Important Dates - Traditional March Town Meeting 2023 Important Dates - Traditional May Town Meeting
New Hampshire Forest Protection Bureau Announces Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants Awarded to 46 Fire Departments
The NH Forest Protection Bureau recently awarded grants totaling $85,795 to local fire departments in forty-six communities across the state to help them purchase items directly related to wildfire suppression.
These items include: personal protective equipment such as fire-resistant clothing, hard hats, headlamps and chainsaw chaps; water tanks for utility terrain vehicles; wildland fire pumps and light weight hose; hand tools, chainsaws and more. The Forest Protection Bureau works closely with local fire departments for wildfire prevention and suppression throughout the year, including through training programs.
New Hampshire averages 250 wildfires annually with 250 acres impacted. Local fire departments are usually the first responding fire fighters on scene at wildfires.
The Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant funds are provided by the U.S. Forest Service and in New Hampshire are administered by the Forest Protection Bureau. Fire departments in New Hampshire communities with a population of fewer than 10,000 are eligible to apply. For fiscal year 2023, fire departments were eligible to receive 50/50 matching funds up to $2,499.
For fiscal year 2023, grants were awarded to communities in all ten New Hampshire Counties.
The NH Forest Protection Bureau is part of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Division of Forests and Lands, which protects and promotes the value provided by trees, forests, and natural communities. For more information about the Division of Forests and Lands and the work of its Forest Protection Bureau, visit nh. gov/nhdfl or call 603-271-2214.
Ethics Resolution Guidance Agreement Update
In June of this year, the New Hampshire Local Welfare Administrators Association’s Executive Board approved the NHLWAA Ethics Resolution Guidance Agreement to improve fair and equitable best practices for municipal local welfare officials regarding permanent and emergency housing placements from a municipality of origin into another.
It would be considered unreasonable for a person, in urgent need, to be diverted to a municipality of origin without a means of transport or without sufficient time to return and expect the urgent need to be resolved. Communicating with the municipality of origin to inform and navigate the situation, including a transition plan (warm handoff) back to the municipality of origin and/ or reimbursements for temporary assistance provided (RSA 165:20-a) is best professional practice and best humanitarian practice. This overall approach requires agency communication, agency collaboration and continued compassion for people in need.
The resolution promotes increased communication, collaboration and consistent liability expectations between municipalities. It fosters municipal government support for emergency housing sheltering by minimizing concerns of additional local welfare liability due to emergency relocation.
For a review of the full ethics resolution: https://14ea46.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/ wp-content/uploads/2022/07/NHLWAA-Ethics-Resolution-Agreement-Approved-2022.pdf
Cordell A. Johnston
Attorney at Law Representing towns and cities
P.O. Box 252 Henniker, NH 03242 603-748-4019 cordell@cajohnston.com
Does your auction company cover the costs of your auction and associated legal fees for your tax deed real estate auctions?
We do!
All-inclusive auction services at little or no cost to your municipality:
Promotion of the auction online, in newspapers, and with custom signage on each property Notification of the auction to property abutters and our exclusive bidder list Preparation of bidder materials for download and distribution
Live auction held within your municipality Handling of bidder inquiries before and after the auction Collaboration with law firm Sager & Smith, PLLC to conduct closings, prepare deeds, and file “excess proceeds” actions
