February 16, 2010

I am a retired Naval Officer, over 65.  Thanks to entitlement programs, my wife and I have excellent Health Care.  So why am I a staunch advocate for reform?  Why have I written several letters to the editors as well as to our elected officials?

My children and grandchildren either do not have any health care, or they have policies that they cannot afford.  In some cases, their insurance will not cover the care they need because it is new and they, the insurance company, has not approved the medication or the procedure.

Forty Five Million Americans do not have any Health Care.  Many more cannot get the care they need because of pre-existing conditions or because the insurance industry just does not want to provide for their needs.

Health Care costs in the US are $3 trillion a year and rising causing a tremendous strain on our economy and compounding the national debt

Companies like Anthem Blue Cross are raising premiums by 39%.

Two Proposed Bills have been passed, one by the House and One by the Senate.  Both are attempts to right the wrong.  Neither has been signed into law.

Many say that these bills are too expensive; they add to our debt and will put a financial burden on future generations.  THAT’S WHAT THE STATUS QUO IS DOING NOW.

Many are opposed to growing Government.  So, do what is necessary to make the private Insurance Companies honest and responsive to the peoples needs.

Many say that these bills will cause them to lose the current health care they are happy with.  I do not believe that is true.  What about the millions that do not have health care?  Americans are noted for taking care of their own.  Let’s support reform and not be selfish.

It is true that the proposed bills will make cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.  But, the cuts proposed will eliminate the waste and overcharges.  They will remove the subsidies from Medicare Advantage, which is a Private sector program.  In the Senate, an amendment was passed by 100% of the members stating that their will be no reductions in the benefits form Medicare Parts A and B.

You don’t have to agree with the proposed bills.  But, please support the need for health care reform now. We need a Bi-partisan Bill.  We need to make sure that our citizens understand what the bill means and how it will improve their lives.

Please tell your elected officials to work together, now, to better serve those who elected them.

Dick Desrosiers

Hampton, NH

I. Each town shall either provide a facility or assure access to another approved solid waste facility for its residents. A town may choose whether to include any associated costs in its tax base.

II. (a) A town may make bylaws governing its facility and fixing reasonable rates for its use, and governing the separation and collection of refuse within the municipality and the registration of haulers collecting or disposing of refuse within the municipality, all in a manner not inconsistent with this chapter. Furthermore, a town may make bylaws requiring residents to deposit their refuse in specifically designated bags or containers, or in bags or containers that have attached to them a disposal sticker. Such bags, containers, or disposal stickers shall be sold or made available by the town at a reasonable price.

(b) Notwithstanding RSA 31:39, III, towns are authorized to levy civil penalties up to $3,000 for each act which violates the bylaws enacted pursuant to this paragraph. For violations for which any penalty provided in the bylaws is $500 or less, the official designated in the bylaws as the enforcement authority may issue a summons and notice of fine as provided in RSA 502-A:19-b, except that a copy of the fines for violations of the local bylaws shall be substituted for the uniform fine schedule. Defendants who are issued such summons and notice of fine may plead guilty or nolo contendere by mail by entering a plea as provided in RSA 502-A:19-b. If the plea is accepted by the court, the defendant shall not be required to appear unless directed by the court.

(c) 2010 Hampton Open Press. All rights reserved.

(c) 2010 Hampton Open Press. All rights reserved.

(c) 2010 Hampton Open Press. All rights reserved.

(c) 2010 Hampton Open Press. All rights reserved.

(c) 2010 Hampton Open Press. All rights reserved.

An announcement at a recent Board of Selectman meeting stated that mandatory recycling has gone into the phase where people who do not recycle receive notice on their garbage and their garbage is not collected or disposed of by the town.

Members of the Board of Selectman said that recycling  saves money for the people of Hampton because the weight of recycled materials is not charged as a cost of waste disposal.  It also help the environment because it avoids adding to our limited land fills, and the use of recycled materials such as aluminum requires much less energy to produce aluminum products than that from mining.  Good for the pocket-book, good for the environment on many levels.

It also has become easier because “single stream” means that you can mix all recycled materials in the same bins.  You can also use larger permanently cover affixed containers with wheels (please affix “RECYCLE” stickers to the containers you choose to use, available at town clerk and transfer station ).

The Hampton Open Press urges all its readers to recycle as aggressively as possible (such as, not just some of your paper, cans and glass but all paper, cans and glass).

Section 72:28

72:28 Standard and Optional Veterans’ Tax Credit. –

I. The standard veterans’ tax credit shall be $50.
II. The optional veterans’ tax credit, upon adoption by a city or town pursuant to RSA 72:27-a, shall be an amount from $51 up to $500. The optional veterans’ tax credit shall replace the standard veterans’ tax credit in its entirety and shall not be in addition thereto.
III. Either the standard veterans’ tax credit or the optional veterans’ tax credit shall be subtracted each year from the property tax on the veteran’s residential property. However, the surviving spouse of a resident who suffered a service-connected death may have the amount subtracted from the property tax on any real property in the same municipality where the surviving spouse is a resident.
IV. The following persons shall qualify for the standard veterans’ tax credit or the optional veterans’ tax credit:
(a) Every resident of this state who served not less than 90 days in the armed forces of the United States in any qualifying war or armed conflict listed in this section and was honorably discharged or an officer honorably separated from service; or the spouse or surviving spouse of such resident;
(b) Every resident of this state who was terminated from the armed forces because of service-connected disability; or the surviving spouse of such resident; and
(c) The surviving spouse of any resident who suffered a service-connected death.
V. Service in a qualifying war or armed conflict shall be as follows:
(a) “”World War I” between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918, extended to April 1, 1920 for service in Russia; provided that military or naval service on or after November 12, 1918 and before July 2, 1921, where there was prior service between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918 shall be considered as World War I service;
(b) “”World War II” between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946;
(c) “”Korean Conflict” between June 25, 1950 and January 31, 1955;
(d) “”Vietnam Conflict” between December 22, 1961 and May 7, 1975;
(e) “”Vietnam Conflict” between July 1, 1958 and December 22, 1961, if the resident earned the Vietnam service medal or the armed forces expeditionary medal;
(f) “”Persian Gulf War” between August 2, 1990 and the date thereafter prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law; and
(g) Any other war or armed conflict that has occurred since May 8, 1975, and in which the resident earned an armed forces expeditionary medal or theater of operations service medal.

Source. 1871, 13:1. GL 54:2. PS 56:4. 1907, 95:1. 1919, 54:1. 1921, 12:3; 103:1. 1923, 68:2. PL 60:26. 1941, 157:1. RL 73:29. 1943, 174:1. 1944, 4:1. 1947, 240:1, par. 29. 1949, 167:1. 1951, 132:1. RSA 72:28. 1955, 289:1. 1963, 49:1; 118:1; 324:1. 1967, 35:1, 2; 219:1, 2. 1971, 303:1. 1975, 282:1. 1976, 42:1, 2. 1977, 61:1. 1979, 288:2. 1981, 215:1. 1989, 64:1; 270:1. 1991, 70:3-6. 1992, 70:3. 1993, 73:3, 10; 262:1, eff. April 1, 1993. 2003, 299:2, eff. April 1, 2003. 2005, 126:1, eff. April 1, 2006.

Section 72:28-a

72:28-a Procedure for Adoption. – [Repealed 2003, 299:29, I, eff. April 1, 2003.]

Section 72:29

72:29 Definitions. –

I. The word “”resident” as used in RSA 72:28 shall mean a person who has resided in this state for at least one year preceding April 1, in the year in which the tax credit is claimed.
II. The term “”residential real estate” for the purposes of RSA 72:28-34, inclusive, shall mean the real estate which the person qualified for an exemption or a tax credit thereunder occupies as his principal place of abode together with any land or buildings appurtenant thereto and shall include manufactured housing if used for said purpose.
III. “”Exemption” as used in RSA 72 shall mean the amount of money to be deducted from the assessed valuation, for property tax purposes, of real property.
IV. The term “”tax credit” as used in RSA 72 shall mean the amount of money to be deducted from the person’s tax bill.
V. The term “”surviving spouse” as used in RSA 72 shall not include a surviving spouse that has remarried, but if the surviving spouse is later divorced, his or her status as the surviving spouse of a veteran is regained. If the surviving spouse remarries and the new husband or wife dies, he or she shall be deemed the widow or widower of the latest spouse and shall not revert to the status of a surviving spouse of a veteran.
VI. For purposes of RSA 72:28, 29-a, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36-a, 37, 37-a, 37-b, 38-a, 39-a, 62, 66, and 70, the ownership of real estate, as expressed by such words as “”owner”, “”owned” or “”own”, shall include those who have equitable title or the beneficial interest for life in the subject property.
VII. The term “”theater of operations service medal” for the purposes of RSA 72:28-34 shall mean any medal, ribbon, or badge awarded to a member of the armed forces which establishes that the member served in a theater of war or armed conflict, as determined by the director of the state veterans council with written notification to the department of revenue administration.

Source. 1947, 240:1, par. 29-g. RSA 72:29. 1955, 289:4. 1963, 118:2. 1991, 70:9, 10. 1993, 73:4. 1994, 102:1; 390:7. 1995, 265:12, eff. Jan. 1, 1996. 2004, 170:2, eff. July 23, 2004; 238:1, eff. June 15, 2004.

Section 72:29-a

72:29-a Surviving Spouse. –

I. The surviving spouse of any person who was killed or died while on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or any of the armed forces of any of the governments associated with the United States in the wars, conflicts or armed conflicts, or combat zones set forth in RSA 72:28, shall receive a tax credit in the amount of $700 for the taxes due upon the surviving spouse’s real and personal property, whether residential or not, in the same municipality where the surviving spouse is a resident.
II. Upon the adoption of this paragraph by a city or town as provided in RSA 72:27-a, the surviving spouse of any person who was killed or died while on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or any of the armed forces of any of the governments associated with the United States in the wars, conflicts or armed conflicts, or combat zones set forth in RSA 72:28, shall receive a tax credit in the amount from $701 up to $2,000 for the taxes due upon the surviving spouse’s real and personal property, whether residential or not, in the same municipality where the surviving spouse is a resident.

Source. 1963, 174:2. 1967, 219:3. 1969, 56:1. 1975, 277:1. 1990, 125:3. 1991, 70:11. 1993, 73:5, eff. June 22, 1993. 2003, 299:3, eff. April 1, 2003.

Section 72:29-b

72:29-b Procedure for Adoption. – [Repealed 2003, 299:29, II, eff. April 1, 2003.]

Section 72:30

72:30 Proration of Tax Credit. – If any entitled person or persons shall own a fractional interest in residential real estate, each such entitled person shall be granted a tax credit in proportion to his or her interest therein with other persons so entitled, but in no case shall the total tax credit exceed the tax credit allowed under RSA 72:28, I or II, except as provided in RSA 72:31.

Source. 1947, 240:1, par. 29-a. 1949, 167:2. RSA 72:30. 1955, 289:2. 1967, 219:4. 1991, 70:14, eff. April 1, 1992. 2003, 299:4, eff. April 1, 2003.

Section 72:31

72:31 Husband and Wife. –

A husband and wife, each qualifying for a tax credit, shall each be granted a tax credit upon their residential real estate as provided under RSA 72:28, I or II.

Source. 1947, 240:1, par. 29-b. RSA 72:31. 1955, 289:3. 1967, 219:5. 1991, 70:14, eff. April 1, 1992. 2003, 299:5, eff. April 1, 2003.

Section 72:32

72:32 Veterans of Allied Forces. – Any person otherwise entitled under the provisions of RSA 72:28, 30 and 31 who being a citizen of the United States, or being a resident of New Hampshire, at the time of his entry therein, served on active duty in the armed forces of any of the governments associated with the United States in the wars, conflicts or armed conflicts set forth in RSA 72:28 shall be entitled to the tax credit authorized by RSA 72:28.

Source. 1947, 240:1, par. 29-c. 1949, 291:4. RSA 72:32. 1967, 206:4. 1991, 70:14, eff. April 1, 1992.

Section 72:33

72:33 Application for Exemption or Tax Credit. –

I. No person shall be entitled to the exemptions or tax credits provided by RSA 72:28, 29-a, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36-a, 37, 37-a, 37-b, 38-b, 39-b, 62, 66, and 70 unless the person has filed with the selectmen or assessors, by April 15 preceding the setting of the tax rate, a permanent application therefor, signed under penalty of perjury, on a form approved and provided by the commissioner of revenue administration, showing that the applicant is the true and lawful owner of the property on which the exemption or tax credit is claimed and that the applicant was duly qualified upon April 1 of the year in which the exemption or tax credit is first claimed, or, in the case of financial qualifications, that the applicant is duly qualified at the time of application. The form shall include the following and such other information deemed necessary by the commissioner:
(a) Instructions on completing and filing the form, including an explanation of the grounds for requesting tax exemptions and credits pursuant to RSA 72.
(b) Sections for information concerning the applicant, the property for which the relief is sought, and other properties owned by the person applying.
(c) A section explaining the appeal procedure and stating the appeal deadline in the event the municipality denies the tax relief request in whole or in part.
(d) A place for the applicant’s signature with a certification by the person applying that the application has a good faith basis and the facts in the application are true.
I-a. If any person, otherwise qualified to receive an exemption or credit, shall satisfy the selectmen or assessors that he or she was prevented by accident, mistake, or misfortune from filing a permanent application or amended permanent application on or before April 15 of the year in which he or she desires the exemption to begin, said officials may receive the application at a later date and grant an exemption or credit for that year; but no such application shall be received or exemption or credit granted after the local tax rate has been approved for that year.

II. Any person who changes residence after filing such a permanent application shall file an amended permanent application on or before December 1 immediately following the change of residence. The filing of the permanent application shall be sufficient for said persons to receive these exemptions or tax credits on an annual basis so long as the applicant does not change residence.
III. If the selectmen or assessors are satisfied that the applicant has willfully made any false statement in the application to obtain an exemption or tax credit, they may refuse to grant the exemption or tax credit.
IV. [Repealed.]
V. In addition to the above requirements, applicants for exemption who claim ownership pursuant to RSA 72:29, VI shall file with their application an additional statement signed under penalty of perjury, on a form approved and provided by the commissioner of revenue administration, showing they meet the requirements of RSA 72:29, VI.
VI. The assessing officials may require applicants for any exemption or tax credit to file the information listed in RSA 72:34, or the statement required by RSA 72:33, V periodically but no more frequently than annually. Failure to file such periodic statements may, at the discretion of the assessing officials, result in a loss of the exemption or tax credit for that year.

Source. 1947, 240:1, par. 29-d. RSA 72:33. 1969, 55:1. 1973, 544:8. 1977, 502:1. 1983, 155:8; 385:1. 1987, 325:1. 1991, 70:14. 1994, 102:2; 390:3, 8. 1995, 265:3, 20. 1996, 140:7. 1997, 281:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998, at 12:01 a.m. 2003, 131:1, eff. April 1, 2003; 299:25, eff. April 1, 2003 at 12:01 a.m.; 299:6, eff. April 1, 2005; 299:26, eff. April 1, 2005 at 12:01 a.m. 2007, 182:3, eff. April 1, 2007.

Shall the Hampton School District vote to accept the provisions of RSA 194-C providing for the withdrawal of the Hampton School District from School Administrative Unit No. 21 involving the school districts of Hampton, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Seabrook, South Hampton and Winnacunnet Cooperative, in accordance with the provisions of the Hampton Withdrawal Study Committee proposed plan? The School Board recommends this article .

 (3/5 ballot vote required)

Note: Hampton students (grades 9-12) will continue to attend Winnacunnet Cooperative High School.

A copy of the Report of the Hampton School District Withdrawal Study Committee  can be obtained by going to the Study Committee’s website at:  http://www.hamptonwithdrawalstudy.com

To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $46,800 to provide child benefit services in accordance with RSA 189:49, for students who are residents of the Hampton School District and attend Sacred Heart School located in Hampton, New Hampshire. BY PETITION . The School Board and the Budget Committee recommend this appropriation.

(Majority vote required).

 To see if the School District will vote to create an expendable trust fund under the provisions of RSA 198:20-c, to be known as the Special Education Fund, for the purpose of educating educationally disabled children? Furthermore, to raise and appropriate up to $50,000 to be placed in the special education fund with such amount to be funded from the June 30,2010 unreserved fund balance available for transfer on July 1,2010 and to name the School Board as agents to expend . The School Board (and the Budget Committee recommend this appropriation.

(Majority vote required).