Law

RSA 31 Powers and Duties of Towns

New Hampshire · 31 · statute

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Contents: 172 provisions
  1. 31:1 Public Corporations.
  2. 31:2 Parishes.
  3. 31:3 In General.
  4. 31:3-a Suits Involving State-Mandated Programs.
  5. 31:4 Appropriations.
  6. 31:4-a Deficit Reduction.
  7. 31:5 At Special Meetings.
  8. 31:5-a Appropriations of Disaster Funds.
  9. 31:5-b Legalization of Meetings.
  10. 31:6 For Holidays.
  11. 31:6-a Holiday Designations.
  12. 31:7 Contract with Hospital.
  13. 31:8 Town Officers' Associations.
  14. 31:8-a Authorization to Pay Dues.
  15. 31:9 Legislative Counsel.
  16. 31:9-a Sponsoring Certain Benefits.
  17. 31:9-b Time for Payment.
  18. 31:9-c Lockups.
  19. 31:9-d Climate Emergency Municipality Unification.
  20. 31:10 When Allowed.
  21. 31:11 Method.
  22. 31:12 Amount; Debt Limit.
  23. 31:13 Due Date; Refunding.
  24. 31:14 Recovered Funds.
  25. 31:15 to 31:17 Repealed by 1975, 254:2, eff. Aug. 5, 1975.
  26. 31:17-a Referendum.
  27. 31:18 Isolated Dwellings; Abandoned or Wasting Real Estate.
  28. 31:19 In General.
  29. 31:19-a Trust Funds Created by Towns.
  30. 31:19-b Deferred Compensation Plan Trusts.
  31. 31:19-c Authorization for Municipalities to Establish OPEB Trusts.
  32. 31:20 For Cemeteries.
  33. 31:21 Funds of Cemetery Associations, Etc.
  34. 31:22 Trustees.
  35. 31:22-a Cy Pres, Cemetery Trust Funds.
  36. 31:23 Single Trustee.
  37. 31:24 Trustees; Expenses.
  38. 31:25 Custody; Investment.
  39. 31:25-a Retention of Nonlegal Securities.
  40. 31:25-b Prudent Investment Defined.
  41. 31:25-c Report to the Attorney General.
  42. 31:25-d Application of Prudent Investor Rule.
  43. 31:26 Investments by Single Trustee.
  44. 31:27 Collective Investments.
  45. 31:28 Exception.
  46. 31:29 Contributions and Withdrawals.
  47. 31:30 Liberal Construction of Provisions.
  48. 31:31 Trust Funds for Districts.
  49. 31:32 Expenditures.
  50. 31:33 Audit and Publication of Reports of Trustees.
  51. 31:34 Records.
  52. 31:35 Compensation of Bookkeeper.
  53. 31:36 Deposits.
  54. 31:37 Payment by Towns.
  55. 31:38 Reports.
  56. 31:38-a Professional Banking and Brokerage Assistance.
  57. 31:39 Purpose and Penalties.
  58. 31:39-a Conflict of Interest Ordinances.
  59. 31:39-c Administrative Enforcement of Ordinances.
  60. 31:39-d Local Ordinance Citations; Pleas by Mail.
  61. 31:39-e Bylaws Affecting Forestry Activities.
  62. 31:40 Taxicabs.
  63. 31:41 Open-Air Motion Picture Theatres.
  64. 31:41-a Motor Vehicle Race Tracks.
  65. 31:41-b Hazardous Embankments.
  66. 31:41-c Electioneering.
  67. 31:41-d Pinball Machines and Coin Operated Amusements.
  68. 31:41-e Drug-Free Zones; Public Housing Authorities.
  69. 31:42 Regulation by Selectmen.
  70. 31:43 When in Force.
  71. 31:43-a Adoption of Curfew Law.
  72. 31:43-b City of Rochester.
  73. 31:43-c Minors under 16.
  74. 31:43-d Curfew Signal.
  75. 31:43-e Penalty, Custodian.
  76. 31:43-f Penalty, Minors.
  77. 31:43-g Second Offense.
  78. 31:44 to 31:50-a Repealed by 1979, 185:2, eff. Aug. 5, 1979.
  79. 31:51 Regulations.
  80. 31:52 Rights of Owners.
  81. 31:53 Repealed by 1994, 25:1, I, eff. June 21, 1994.
  82. 31:54 Repealed by 1994, 25:1, II, eff. June 21, 1994.
  83. 31:55 Repealed by 1994, 25:1, III, eff. June 21, 1994.
  84. 31:56 Use of Militia.
  85. 31:57 To Whom Payable; Maximum.
  86. 31:58 Adoption of Provisions.
  87. 31:59 Administration.
  88. 31:59-a Authority Granted.
  89. 31:59-b Purchasing Agent.
  90. 31:59-c Definitions.
  91. 31:59-d Application of Subdivision.
  92. 31:60 to 31:89 Repealed by 1983, 447:5, I, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.
  93. 31:89-a to 31:89-l Repealed by 1983, 447:5, I, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.
  94. 31:90 Stock Voting.
  95. 31:91 Soliciting Funds.
  96. 31:92 Taking of Land.
  97. 31:92-a Water Pollution.
  98. 31:93 Town Seal.
  99. 31:94 Fiscal Year.
  100. 31:94-a Optional Fiscal Year.
  101. 31:94-b Adoption.
  102. 31:94-c Authorization to Use Accounting Period.
  103. 31:94-cc Proration of Property Tax Exemptions During Transition Period.
  104. 31:94-d Debt During Transition Period.
  105. 31:94-e Transition Period.
  106. 31:95 Budget.
  107. 31:95-a Tax Maps.
  108. 31:95-b Appropriation for Funds Made Available During Year.
  109. 31:95-c Special Revenue Funds.
  110. 31:95-d Procedure for Adoption; Rescission or Change of Purpose.
  111. 31:95-e Acceptance of Personal Property Donated to Towns and Village Districts.
  112. 31:95-f Geographic Information Systems.
  113. 31:95-g Option to Assign Appraisal Responsibility.
  114. 31:95-h Revolving Funds.
  115. 31:96 Interlocal Cooperation on Federal or Interstate Flood Control Projects.
  116. 31:97 State Guarantee.
  117. 31:98 Repealed by 1969, 125:2, eff. July 8, 1969.
  118. 31:98-a Contingency Fund.
  119. 31:99 License to Occupy Portion of Street.
  120. 31:100 Street Fairs.
  121. 31:101 Effect of License.
  122. 31:102 Obstructing Access to Highways.
  123. 31:102-a Hawkers, Peddlers and Vendors.
  124. 31:102-b Background Checks for Certain Vendors.
  125. 31:103 Repealed by 1983, 447:5, II, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.
  126. 31:103-a Contributions to County or State.
  127. 31:103-b Cybersecurity.
  128. 31:104 Liability of Municipal Executives.
  129. 31:105 Indemnification for Damages.
  130. 31:106 Indemnification; Civil Rights Suits.
  131. 31:107 Purchase of Insurance.
  132. 31:108 Attachment, Trustee Process Prohibited.
  133. 31:109 Local Option for Oil Refinery Siting in Towns.
  134. 31:110 Establishment.
  135. 31:111 Purpose.
  136. 31:112 Management.
  137. 31:113 Appropriations Authorized.
  138. 31:114 Repealed by 1995, 299:19, I, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
  139. 31:115 Eligibility for Federal Funds.
  140. 31:116 Manufactured Housing Foundations.
  141. 31:117 Woodstoves.
  142. 31:118, 31:119 Repealed by 1983, 447:5, III, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.
  143. 31:120 Purpose.
  144. 31:121 Authority Granted.
  145. 31:122 Services Advisory Committee; Cost.
  146. 31:123 Method of Appropriation.
  147. 31:124 Assessments.
  148. 31:125 Limit on Liability.
  149. 31:126 Presumption of Procedural Validity.
  150. 31:127 Definitions.
  151. 31:128 Certified Copy of Legislation Prima Facie Evidence of Enactment.
  152. 31:129 Limitation.
  153. 31:130 Conformity with Enabling Statute.
  154. 31:131 Origin of Warrant Articles.
  155. 31:132 Records Storage.
  156. 31:133 Liability Limitation.
  157. 31:134 Statement of Purpose.
  158. 31:135 Definition.
  159. 31:136 Water and/or Sewer Utility Authorized; Intermunicipal Agreement.
  160. 31:137 Commissioners.
  161. 31:138 Election or Appointment.
  162. 31:139 Services Provided; Cost.
  163. 31:140 Method of Appropriation.
  164. 31:141 Assessments and Fees.
  165. 31:142 Limit on Liability.
  166. 31:143 Authority to Incur Capital Debt.
  167. 31:144 Assessment Funds.
  168. 31:145 District Utility Fund.
  169. 31:146 Abatement and Appeal of Assessments and Fees.
  170. 31:147 Liens and Collection of Assessments.
  171. 31:148 Reports.
  172. 31:149 Local Option.

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172 provisions

31:138 Election or Appointment.

I. The board of commissioners may be elected by the legal voters of the municipality at any meeting or election at which the provisions of this subdivision are accepted, or at any special meeting or election thereafter called for that purpose, and their successors shall be elected at each annual meeting or election thereafter in the manner or form as the municipality may determine. II. The board of commissioners may be appointed by the mayor and board of aldermen or city council or by the selectmen of the town in the manner or form as the municipality may determine. Source. 2013, 214:1, eff. Sept. 8, 2013.

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31:139 Services Provided; Cost.

I. The services provided by a water and/or sewer utility district under this subdivision may include property-related services, including but not limited to providing public drinking water and water for domestic uses; water for fire suppression; and wastewater management; related construction, operation, and maintenance of capital facilities needed in the performance of these services; and other business development services and activities related to the maintenance of an attractive, useful, and economically viable business environment within the district. These services and activities may be either those of a routine nature provided for all properties, or may be particular to those in the water and/or sewer utility district. II. The legislative body of each municipality shall define the water and/or sewer utility district, select specific services and levels of services to be provided, and, subject to RSA 31:137, authorize the department, agency, or other party that is to undertake the work. III. The costs of providing services in the water and/or sewer utility district shall be those accruing to the municipality, which result exclusively from the provision of services in the district, and which exceed those being provided in the balance of the municipality. Source. 2013, 214:1, eff. Sept. 8, 2013.

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31:140 Method of Appropriation.

Each municipality shall adopt a budgetary appropriation for capital and operating expenditures including replacement and upgrades, or services to be performed in a water and/or sewer utility district as part of its budget process. The expense of constructing and maintaining the facilities needed to perform the authorized services to the district, or paying off any capital debt or interest incurred in constructing or maintaining the district on an annual basis shall be included in the budgetary appropriation. At the end of each fiscal year, a full accounting of expenditures shall be made. Source. 2013, 214:1, eff. Sept. 8, 2013.

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31:141 Assessments and Fees.

Upon adoption of the budgetary appropriation, the municipality may levy assessments or fees, or both, in an amount not greater than the net appropriation to a water and/or sewer utility district fund. The assessments and fees shall be made against the owners or users, or both, of properties in the water and/or sewer utility district and shall be based upon a formula determined by the municipality to be in relative proportion to benefits received by each property owner or user, or both, in the water and/or sewer utility district. Assessments and fees shall be billed and collected as specified by ordinance adopted by majority vote of the governing body of the municipality after a public hearing or in accordance with the terms of the intermunicipal agreement. Government property and non-profit organizations within the district shall be subject to the assessment and fees. Interest and other collection procedures shall be made by the tax collector or other official responsible for property tax collection. Enforcement powers for nonpayment shall be the same as those provided under RSA 80 relative to property tax collection. Source. 2013, 214:1, eff. Sept. 8, 2013.

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31:142 Limit on Liability.

The provisions of RSA 507-B relative to bodily injury actions against governmental units shall apply to all municipal activities performed in connection with a water and/or sewer utility district. Source. 2013, 214:1, eff. Sept. 8, 2013.

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31:143 Authority to Incur Capital Debt.

The commission shall have the authority to issue bonds under RSA 33 or RSA 33-B, as approved by the governing body of the municipality or, if intermunicipal, in accordance with the terms of the intermunicipal agreement. Source. 2013, 214:1, eff. Sept. 8, 2013.

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31:144 Assessment Funds.

I. The funds received from the collection of water and/or sewer assessments and fees shall be kept as separate and distinct funds to be known as the water assessment fund and the sewer assessment fund respectively. Such funds shall be allowed to accumulate from year to year, shall not be commingled with municipal tax revenues, and shall not be deemed part of the municipality's general fund accumulated surplus. Such funds shall be expended only for the purposes of this subdivision as it relates to public drinking water and domestic supplies or the previous expansion or replacement of water lines or water treatment facilities; or for wastewater or the previous expansion or replacement of sewage lines or sewage treatment facilities. II. Except when a capital reserve fund is established pursuant to paragraph III, all assessment funds shall be held in the custody of the municipal treasurer. Estimates of anticipated assessments or fees and anticipated expenditures from the assessment funds shall be submitted to the governing body under RSA 32:6 if applicable, and shall be included as part of the municipal budget submitted to the legislative body for approval. Notwithstanding RSA 41:29 or RSA 48:16, the treasurer shall pay out amounts from the assessment funds only upon order of the governing body of the district. Expenditures shall be within amounts appropriated by the legislative body. III. At the option of the governing body of the district, all or part of any surplus in the assessment funds may be placed in one or more capital reserve funds under RSA 35:7 and placed in the custody of the trustees of trust funds. If such a reserve fund is created, then the governing body of the district may expend such funds pursuant to RSA 35:15 without prior approval or appropriation by the local legislative body, but all such expenditures shall be reported to the municipality pursuant to RSA 31:148. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the establishment of other capital reserve funds for any lawful purpose relating to municipal water. Source. 2013, 214:1, eff. Sept. 8, 2013.

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31:145 District Utility Fund.

Notwithstanding RSA 31:144, the local legislative body upon establishing a utility district may vote to establish a separate and distinct fund to be known as the district utility fund to serve as a collective operating fund for the district, or to administer funds common to the district that are not directly attributable to water or wastewater services. Such fund shall be allowed to accumulate from year to year, shall not be commingled with town or city tax revenues, and shall not be deemed part of the municipality's general fund accumulated surplus. Such fund shall function as a collective water and sewer fund and shall be authorized to be managed in the same ways as water or sewer funds are used under RSA 31:144. Source. 2013, 214:1, eff. Sept. 8, 2013.

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31:146 Abatement and Appeal of Assessments and Fees.

I. Any person aggrieved by an assessment or fee made under this subdivision may, within 2 months of the notice of assessment, apply in writing to the governing body of the district for an abatement of such assessment or fee. II. Upon receipt of an application under paragraph I, the governing body of the district shall review the application and shall, in writing, grant or deny the application in whole or in part to correct any error in the assessment or fee within 6 months after the notice of assessment or imposition of the fee. III. If the governing body of the district neglects or refuses to abate the assessment or fee, any person aggrieved may petition the superior court in the county where the property is located within 8 months of the notice of assessment or imposition of the fee. IV. For purposes of this section, "notice of assessment" means the date shown on the assessment bill. V. Each assessment bill or fee shall require a separate request and appeal. VI. For good cause shown, the governing body of the district may abate any such assessment or fee made by them or by their predecessors. Source. 2013, 214:1, eff. Sept. 8, 2013.

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31:147 Liens and Collection of Assessments.

In the collection of assessments and fees under RSA 31:141, municipalities shall have the same liens and use the same collection procedures as authorized by RSA 38:22. Interest on overdue charges shall be assessed in accordance with RSA 76:13. Source. 2013, 214:1, eff. Sept. 8, 2013.

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31:148 Reports.

In municipalities adopting this subdivision, the governing body of the district shall annually, at the time other municipal officers report, make a report to the municipality of the condition of the plant financially and otherwise, showing the funds of the district, the expenses and income thereof, and all other material facts. This report shall be published in the annual report of the municipality. Source. 2013, 214:1, eff. Sept. 8, 2013.

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31:149 Local Option.

Any city or town may adopt this subdivision and shall thereafter have all the authority, powers, duties, and responsibilities set forth in this subdivision. I. A city may adopt this subdivision by majority vote of the legislative body of the city after notice and hearing. II. A town may adopt this subdivision by majority vote of the voters present and voting at any legal town meeting under a proper article after notice and hearing. Source. 2013, 214:1, eff. Sept. 8, 2013.

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