One of the plaintiffs, George M. Maglaras of Dover, said the judge’s order doesn’t necessarily suggest he’ll rule against the commissioners on the merits of their lawsuit.
“There’s a lot of constitutional questions at stake here,” he said. “I don’t know whether he will rule against us or not.”
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Maglaras has said the new law aimed to “destroy” the Strafford County Commission. If the law remains in effect, it could pit him against fellow incumbent commissioner Deanna Rollo of Rollinsford in the Democratic primary for the newly established second district, preventing one of them from advancing to the general election.
Maglaras, who is serving his 20th two-year term, said he intends to seek reelection. Rollo said she has not yet decided whether to run again. They are both eagerly awaiting further word from the court.
The judge is slated to hold a hearing next Thursday, June 13, on the state’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, according to court records. That’s the day before the filing period closes.
New Hampshire Senator James P. Gray, a Republican from Rochester who advocated for the change, said he heard from constituents and fellow lawmakers who expressed concerns about the voices of conservative voters in northern Strafford County being drowned out by Democratic voters in the county’s southern communities.
The three Republicans who ran for Strafford County commissioner in 2022 carried about 41 percent of the vote but didn’t win any of the three seats.
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Gray said divvying the county into three separate districts gives conservative voters a shot at electing a commissioner who aligns with their views. It also makes Strafford County more similar to New Hampshire’s other nine counties, which already have commissioner districts, he said.
“What I’m trying to do is bring Strafford County in line with the others and make sure there is fair representation,” he said.
Gray said the judge’s decision late last week was an encouraging development that brought needed clarity ahead of the filing period, and the final outcome of this case remains to be seen.
The third Democratic incumbent commissioner, Robert J. Watson of Rochester, appears to live in the newly drawn first district, which covers several communities across northern Strafford County. He did not return calls seeking comment.
Democrats have denounced the introduction of district lines — which slice through Strafford County’s two most populous cities, Dover and Rochester — as a form of partisan gerrymandering. They tried to undo the change with another bill this year, but failed.
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Commissioners, who will earn a base salary of $13,907 next year, are generally tasked with oversight of county government departments and budgetary matters. Some serve two-year terms. Others serve four-year terms that may be staggered.
While commissioners in New Hampshire’s other nine counties must live in the districts they represent, not all of them are elected solely by the voters in their district. Each commissioner in Carroll and Sullivan counties is picked through a countywide vote.
Maglaras said he will review the judge’s final ruling then decide whether to appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. He said this law shows how state lawmakers have foisted “Washington-style politics” onto Strafford County government.
“I just feel sorry for the people of Strafford County who have been disenfranchised by this action,” he said. “I think it’s totally wrong.”
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Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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