Changes in School Board meeting schedule, Otober...December

The Board's meeting schedule for October through December was changed at the August 23 meeting. Please consult the Calendar for the new dates (which are highlighted in red).

School Bus schedules

2010-2011 Mason School Bus schedule (grades 1-5)

2010-2011 Milford School Bus schedule (grades 6-12)

Absentee Ballots for the September 14 primary:
    Absentee Ballots can be picked up at Town Clerk's office during normal hours.
    They can also be requested by downloading and filling out the 2010 Absentee Ballot Request (PDF 100 KB) form and submitting it to the Town Clerk by mail or fax (878-4892).
     You will then be sent an absentee ballot by mail.
    NOTE: absentee ballots must be received by the Town Clerk no latter than September 13, so leave enough time for process and postal delays!

Reminder (Sep 2, 2010) from Sue Wagoner, Town Clerk, about absentee ballots:

Just a reminder that you may vote via absentee ballot for the Primary. For those new to NH, you must declare a party affiliation for the primary only. You can download the absentee ballot request form from my website - http://www.mason-nh.net/townclerk/. Chose the form that says Absentee ballot request for the NH Primary and General election. That will take you directly to the Secretary of State's site for the form. Please make sure you declare a party if you are currently undeclared/independent. If you don't, your ballot may be delayed while we try to contact you. We send absentee ballots out the next day after receiving the request. Keep in mind the lag time for the post office. All absentee ballots that are mailed back MUST be received no later than 5pm on election day.
I will be in the office on Monday Sept 13 from 3-5 to accommodate anyone who wishes to vote absentee or wishes to drop off their absentee ballot.

Library Noon Book Club (a book discussion with adults) meets the third Tuesday of each month beginning in September.
    Bring your lunch we will supply the coffee/tea and conversation. Extra copies of the chosen title are available to borrow.

Library Story Times begin Wednesday October 6 at 10:30 am.
    All preschoolers and their care givers are welcome. Come meet others. Enjoy stories, songs and a simple craft. No preregistration is necessary.

Library Book & Bake Sale October 16, 9 AM to Noon
    Accepting donations for the sale. Gently used books, videos, and audios can be brought in during open hours. No magazines or textbooks or encyclopedias or dictionaries, please.

Library Story Time & Crafts, December 4, 10 AM to Noon

Updated Planning Board Subdivision & Site Plan Regulations (2010)
    See Planning Board page

Updated Planning (Zoning) Ordinance (2010)
    See below or Documents page

Updated Tax Maps and Conservation Lands Map (2010)
    Bob Larochelle has provided updated Tax and Conservation Maps!

2010 Tax Maps

2010 Conservation Lands Map

Property Tax Relief Form DP-8:

From Barbara Milkovitz: here is the form for Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief. This is through the State, not the town. The State usually sends the forms to anyone who's applied the previous year but, in order to save money, they are not sending any out. I got the forms off the DRA site. Time for applying is May 1st through June 30th.
New Hampshire Department Of Revenue Administration Low And Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief Form DP-8 (PDF 104 KB).

The Planning Board calendar for 2010, including application and notice deadlines, can be downloaded from here.

The Florence Roberts Conservation Commission programs scheduled for March through June, 2010, are posted on the Conservation Commission page.

Susan Wagoner, Town Clerk & Tax Collector, forwarded some information about sources for assistance for homeowners who may be having trouble paying their mortgage or dealing with the bank.

The 2009 tax rate has been set at $18.75 per thousand (per Town Clerk Susan Wagoner).

The Mason Fire-EMS Department is in need of new members! For information see the Fire-EMS Department page.

Addresses, phone numbers, office hours & meeting schedules:

Town of Mason documents:

Town reports - for 2010 Town Meeting

2009 Town Report, 2010 Budget, 2010 Warrant

Town reports - for 2009 Town Meeting

2008 Town Report, 2009 Budget, 2009 Warrant, Minutes

Mason 2009 Tax Warrant. (.PDF 1.1 M)

Mason 2008 Tax Warrant. (.PDF 200 K)

PLANNING (Zoning) ORDINANCE, revised March 2010, file:MAS251-2010-1_ZN_BC_Ord_Gen_Info_amended_3_2010.pdf, 272 KB
Including: Floodplain Development Ordinance, BUILDING CODE (April 2004) and GENERAL INFORMATION: Emergency & Town Office Telephone Numbers, Map of Zoning Districts & Tax Maps, FEMA Flood Hazard Boundary Maps, and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Effective Date: September 25, 2009

Mason School Board: Budgets, reports, presentations, etc.

Mason Police Department: Pistol Permit Applications

Mason Fire-EMS Department: Fire Permits

Mason Planning Board:Subdivision Regulations, Site Plan Review Regulations, Master Plan, Subdivision Applications

Links to other web pages:

I have a personal web page concerning the issue of SB2 (Official Ballot) and Mason: Garth's SB2 page

The Mason Grapevine (Mason's local monthly newsletter)

Mason Internet Co-Op (MIC)

Mason Congregational Church

Downloading tip: various web browsers handle PDF files differently. Some always download the file, others display its contents, and others try to display but fail - leaving a blank window.
You can force most browsers to download the file by using Option-click (Mac) or right-click (Windows) on the link instead of a simple click.