Two important road bills became law this session. One imposes an obligation on certain parties to contribute toward maintenance of private roads. The other allows municipalities to extend the “winter” period for highways to summer cottages. Private road maintenance The private road maintenance law began as SB 39 and finished as Chapter 308, … [Read more...]
Preventing Stormwater Damage: The Purpose of Ponds in Developments
Residential and commercial land development comes with an entire slew of potential issues, not the least of which is stormwater runoff and potential damaging effects. Local, state, and federal regulations impose requirements on developers to plan for stormwater runoff when constructing developments to prevent future damage to structures, land, and … [Read more...]
Who is Responsible for This Mess? – PFA, PFOA, and Other Environmental Clean Up
Water and ground pollution are being discussed everywhere as more research is done discovering the harmful effects of certain commonly used chemicals. Here in New Hampshire, the Department of Environmental Services (DES) is working to implement new, lower, allowable levels of certain perfluoro-chemicals in drinking water. The rule making proposal … [Read more...]
Alfano Law Office Mission Statement
Several months ago, a few of us at Alfano Law Office noticed the frequency with which our office fights municipalities to protect property rights. Property rights are more than just things in your home or office. They include the right to use and develop land, the right to be paid full market value should the government take your property through … [Read more...]
Summer Property Checklist
School is out, Memorial Day is over, and summer is here. With that comes lake houses, beach house, and cabins in the woods. Some of these properties are closed down for the winter and not visited for many months. Aside from de-winterizing, deep cleaning, and re-stocking the refrigerator what should you be doing to open your second home? Walk … [Read more...]
Homestead v. Mortgages – Who Wins?
Homestead is a right to occupy one's primary residence. Homestead also has a set value of $120,000, which comes into play when creditors circle the waters. Each person has a homestead in the amount of $120,000; therefore, for married couples, each spouse has a $120,000 homestead. The homestead right is exempt from attachment by creditors, … [Read more...]
Stop Lying to Yourself Get Your Will and Estate Plan Created Today
Everyday, in some way, each of us begins each new day by lying to ourselves that nothing “bad” will happen to us today. It’s like it's part of our human nature. We know that people are involved in accidents every day that end their lives or incapacitate them; that’s just it, we tell ourselves that it will happen to someone else – not us. However, … [Read more...]
Two Road Bills Being Considered in Concord
The General Court is considering two bills of note dealing with roads this year. One bill would affect the non-maintenance period for highways to summer cottages, and the other is a renewed effort to impose maintenance obligations on owners of residential property on private roads. Highways to Summer Cottages Municipalities are exempt from … [Read more...]
Remember to Review Your Estate Plan and the Events That Should Remind You To Do It
Great, you created your estate plan; and by getting crucial documents drafted and signed, you are ahead of most people in planning for your future. An estate plan is not a “set it and forget it” type of thing. The only thing worse than not having an estate plan, is to have one that does not match the person’s goals and wishes. Just as your goals … [Read more...]
How Northern Pass Appeal of State Citing Decision Works
On May 15, 2019, the New Hampshire Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the appeal of Northern Pass. The New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (“SEC”) denied the application to build the 192-mile electric transmission line across the state from the Canadian border down to the Massachusetts border in February, 2018. Each side will get 50 … [Read more...]