Attorneys Rob Ciandella and Kate Miller presented two programs on “Telecommunications Infrastructure in NH” and “Making the Connection: What Communities Need to Know About Broadband and Telecommunications,” sponsored by the Central NH Regional Planning Commission in Concord and Bow on June 10, 2014. The seminars supported the work of local planning commissions to develop broadband plans for their communities. The presentation covered the basics of cable TV franchise law, wireless facility permitting and the importance of a robust planning process for protecting and enhancing broadband opportunities in our cities and towns. Enhanced broadband opportunities in our communities will bring greater economic development, strengthening the local and state economies. The take-away message from the seminars: planning and enacting legislative initiatives at the local level, including telecommunications zoning ordinances, selectmen’s ordinances and Master Plans, are key to fostering greater deployment of broadband infrastructure, including facilities of cable TV operators, competitive internet service providers, incumbent and competitive telephone companies.
Finally, Some Good News from the IRS for Small Non-Profits
By Katherine B. Miller, Esq.
For years, I have represented small non-profit organizations as they have struggled with an unwieldy form to apply to the IRS for recognition of tax exempt status. This application process is necessary for organizations to be deemed tax exempt pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) (for charities) and the other subsections, such as 501(c)(4) for social welfare organizations. Currently, there is only one IRS form, Form 1023, which is used by large, well-heeled private foundations and the smallest, local organizations alike.
For small, struggling non-profits, the same form is also required for reinstatement, if the organization’s tax exempt status is revoked by the IRS for failure to file the appropriate documents with the IRS for three years in a row. For those organizations, completing the whole application a second time can be a real hurdle.
Now, the IRS has announced it has a draft Form 1023-EZ, just like other “EZ” tax forms, to make it easier for small organizations. The draft form should be available on the IRS website shortly, www.irs.gov
Not only will this make it easier for small organizations to be recognized as tax exempt by the IRS in the first place, it will provide a streamlined process for applying for reinstatement, should the organization’s tax exempt status be revoked by the IRS for failure to file annual reports. This should be a real improvement for small organizations, and should allow more of their dollars to go to their tax exempt purposes instead of towards paperwork. Now that’s what I call good news!
DTC Receives Workforce Housing Coalition Employer Leadership Award
DTC was recently recognized by the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast at its Annual Celebration and 2014 Leadership Awards presentation. DTC received the Employer Leadership Award as an active community participant going the extra mile over the years to ensure that workers in the Greater Seacoast Region of New Hampshire and Maine have more housing opportunities available to them.
The Coalition specifically recognized DTC for its early and persistent support of the Coalition’s efforts to raise the area’s workforce housing deficit to the attention of our communities and their leaders. Ashlee Iber, Executive Director of the Coalition, in presenting the award to DTC, cited DTC’s early sponsorship with the NH Charitable Foundation, the NH Housing Finance Agency and other like-minded NH public and business organizations, to underwrite Communities and Consequences, a documentary film produced by Jay Childs and Justin Frances, as well as the companion book written by Peter Francese and Lorraine Stuart Merrill, the ongoing forums and local zoning changes that resulted, as well as DTC’s many advocacy efforts in multiple Seacoast communities on behalf of affordable housing projects.
In accepting the award on behalf of DTC, Michael Donahue acknowledged the Coalition’s many achievements, including two recent successful Mill conversion projects in Dover, as well as ongoing initiatives the Coalition and its active Board of Directors had undertaken in the past year, and urged those in attendance to continue to support, at the grassroots level, workforce housing opportunities in the City of Portsmouth, where many of the younger workers NH needs to retain hope to reside.
More information on the Workforce Housing Coalition, the Annual Celebration and its ongoing initiatives can be found at www.seacoastwhc.org. If you need assistance or are considering a workforce housing project please contact Attorneys Mike Donahue or Sharon Cuddy Somers or, in their absence, Stephanie Guy, DTC’s Land Use Paralegal.
DTC Sponsors Green Mountain Wireless Open to Benefit The Jimmy Fund
On June 9, Green Mountain Communications will host its 9th Annual Wireless Open at Lake Winnipesaukee Country Club. Now an annual event, the Wireless Open was started to honor the memory of Vice President, Catherine Drouin’s father, Wallace E. Andreson, Jr. and mother, Renee Andreson. To date, Green Mountain has raised over $161,533 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute! DTC applauds Green Mountain Communications’ support of The Jimmy Fund and the money they raise to to help give cancer patients the best, most compassionate care today, while finding cures for tomorrow. For more info click here. DTC is proud to be a sponsor of this special event!
Vets Count “Salute Our Soldiers Gala” a Success
On May 17, Veterans Count held its Second Annual Salute our Soldiers Gala which, in addition to raising funds for those who have served our country, was honored to present the Timeless Treasures of an original copy of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution which was brought to NH for public viewing. Denise Poulos proudly serves on the Board of Directors of Veterans Count. Veterans Count is a program of Easter Seals-NH which is designed to provide critical and timely financial assistance to Service men and women and their families when no other resources are available. In addition to raising money to help those who have served, this annual event raises awareness in our community of the continuing needs of our veterans as well as reaching out to them to let them know that help is available. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit www.vetscount.org.
DTC Staffer, Lisa Hayes, Supports Ronald McDonald House
On Mother’s Day, Lisa Hayes and her family spent the day at the Portland Sea Dogs game to support Ronald McDonald House. For each ticket purchase, $3 went to Ronald McDonald House. Lisa, who has used the services of Ronald McDonald House herself, actively volunteers and coordinates donations for Ronald McDonald House. Ronald McDonald House provides a “home-away-from-home” for families dealing with childhood illnesses so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost. Ronald McDonald House is funded 100% from private dollars and is only possible with the support of the community. For more information on Ronald McDonald House or to make a donation please visit www.rmhc.org.
Attorney Rob Ciandella Presents “What Communities Need to Know About Cable Franchise Agreements”
On April 10, 2014, Attorney Rob Ciandella presented “What Communities Need to Know About Cable Franchise Agreements” to the Central NH Regional Planning Commissioners, Boards of Selectmen and the Commission Staff. CNHRPC’s Mission is to improve, through education, training, and planning assistance, the abilities of the municipalities of the region to prepare and implement municipal plans; to prepare a plan for effective and appropriate development and utilization of the resources of the region; and to assist municipalities in carrying out the regional plan. For more information on CNHRPC click here. Materials from the presentation are available here.
Attorney Chris Boldt to Speak at NH Land Surveyors Association’s Spring Seminar
Attorney Chris Boldt has again been asked by the NH Land Surveyors Association to be one of its speakers for the NHLSA’s Spring Seminar on April 25, 2014 at the Conference Center at the Courtyard Marriott in Concord, NH. This year, Chris will speak as part of a panel discussion on the duties of the Surveyor as an Expert Witness, including a mock deposition of a surveyor.
DTC Salutes Our Soldiers
DTC is proud to Salute our Soldiers at the Gala to be held by Veterans Count on May 17, Armed Services Day at the Service Credit Union Corporate Headquarters in Portsmouth, NH. All funds raised at the Gala, in addition to the Pack & Boots 5k race to be held that morning at 14 Manchester Square at the Pease International Tradeport, will be used to provide emergency funding for soldiers and veterans thru Easter Seals-NH. In addition to working with soldiers and their families through the deployment cycle, Veterans Count is pleased to make funding available to connect our older veterans, some of whom have been outside the system for many years, with much needed services. Register now at vetscount.org for the 5k road race, or a 1 mile Survival Run, carrying a weighted back. DTC would like to thank not only the veterans in our firm but all the men and women who have served. Thank you, and Welcome Home. For more information on Vets Count, please visit http://vetscount.org/.
DTC Sponsors Exeter Elementary PTO’s “Get Fit in May” 5K and Fun Runs
Once again, DTC will sponsor the Exeter Elementary Schools’ “Get Fit in May” 5-K road race, fitness walk, and children’s fun runs. DTC attorneys Kate Miller and Bob Derosier have supported the Exeter Elementary schools in the past through school board service, and the firm has long financially supported the “Get Fit in May” races and fun run, now in its 16th year. This year’s races and fun runs will be on Saturday, May 17th, at Lincoln Street School in Exeter.
“It is great to see the whole community come out to enjoy this fitness event: hundreds of students, community members and teachers. The kids especially love seeing their principals run!” commented attorney Kate Miller, a two-term former member of the Exeter School Board and participant in the road race in 2013 with DTC partner Beth MacDonald.
For more information, or to register for this officially timed event, go to: http://getfitinmay.com/