New Hampshire
Government transparency advocates prevail in slowing bill with public records fee – New Hampshire Bulletin
Under heavy lobbying from government transparency advocates, the House reversed itself Thursday and agreed to rethink a bill it passed last week that would allow communities to charge up to $25 an hour to fulfill requests for public records when doing so took more than 10 hours.
In arguing to send House Bill 1002 back to the House Judiciary Committee for more work, several House members said they didn’t understand the legislation’s unintended consequences when they voted for it last week.
The bill’s opponents argued an hourly fee of up to $25 would restrict access to public records that enable the public to hold government accountable, a right enshrined in the state constitution, which says access to government documents should not be “unreasonably restricted.”
In recent years, residents have used right to know requests to uncover a shady land deal by Webster town officials and improper tax assessments in Nashua. The city has been found in violation of the law by denying records that should have been public and was ordered to get remedial training on the law, according to court records.
Rep. Kelley Potenza, a Rochester Republican, was among those who urged the House to reconsider its passage of the bill.
“Many representatives that I heard from did not understand the full scope of the impact and potential consequences their vote on (the bill) would have on their communities,” she said, “but moreover, all of New Hampshire (and) whether it aligned with the values and priorities of the New Hampshire citizens who hold the contract, the contract being our constitution.”
The reconsideration vote passed, 195-183. In arguing against reconsideration, Rep. Julie Gilman, an Exeter Democrat, appeared to state inaccurate information about the bill and the right-to-know law, RSA 91-A. She said the bill puts into law “a policy that a public body may, not shall, but already can adopt.”
The state Supreme Court has ruled that communities can charge for the actual cost of documents provided in response to a records request. There is no law that allows public bodies to charge up to $25 an hour to “duplicate, redact, and otherwise make the record available.”
An effort to table the bill by Rep. J.R. Hoell, a Dunbarton Republican, failed, 126-254.
“The right of the citizens to understand and know what is going on with their government is so sacrosanct that it should never be eliminated,” Hoell said in a message to the Bulletin following the vote. “Requiring citizens to potentially pay hundreds of dollars to understand what is going on with their government is abysmal and a real threat to our free and open society.”
On a voice vote, the House agreed instead to return the bill to the House Judiciary Committee, where members can expect the New Hampshire Municipal Association to continue lobbying for it and a diverse group of opponents to ask that it be defeated.
Opponents include the New Hampshire Press Association, ACLU of New Hampshire, Right to Know NH, and two groups that advocate for conservative, limited government, the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy and Americans for Prosperity New Hampshire.
In written testimony to House members this week Greg Moore, regional director for Americans for Prosperity New Hampshire, addressed the New Hampshire Municipal Association’s complaint that overly broad records requests are costly and burdensome for its members.
“Onerous public records requests certainly can be a drain of taxpayer resources,” Moore wrote, “but the alternative of having a more corrupt government is far more expensive and corrosive to public trust.”
The New Hampshire Municipal Association told the committee in August that a survey of 70 of its members revealed that the average public records request takes less than five hours, which would exempt them from the hourly fee proposed in the bill.
A vast majority, 88 percent, of respondents said they receive fewer than 100 right-to-know requests a year. Of the 58 communities that estimated the cost of fulfilling records requests, few said the expense was less than 1 percent of their annual operating budget.
The type of large or voluminous request that would fall under the bill are “infrequent,” the association said in its written testimony, with the majority reporting one or two a year. In a few cases, communities have said they’ve received massive requests from commercial outfits, including one case where a solar panel company requested copies of building permits with hopes of marketing their panels to property owners.
Natch Greyes, government affairs counsel for the association, also noted that the bill would require municipalities to provide the person requesting the records a cost estimate before fulfilling the request and allow them to suggest how a person could narrow their request.
Some of the bill’s opponents challenged the association’s argument that the infrequency of large, burdensome requests indicates the bill would result in a records fee in most cases. Instead, that indicates it’s not necessary, they said.
At the minimum, opponents have requested the bill be amended to include a provision that would allow someone to request a fee waiver, including in cases where the information in the documents is in the public interest.
Following the vote, Gilles Bissonnette, ACLU New Hampshire’s legal director, called the vote a positive step.
“Forcing people to pay unreasonable fees for document requests decreases government accountability and transparency. Under our current transparency law, we have made clear that an open government is an accountable government – and HB 1002, as drafted, would have dismantled that value and provided avenues for abuse and obstruction by government agencies,” he said in an email. “Today’s vote by the N.H. House to send HB 1002 back to committee is a positive step, and we look forward to working with the committee on a solution that prioritizes transparency.”
Editor’s Note: This is the latest installment in a series honoring Seacoast veterans’ military service and the organizations who support veterans sponsored by Service Credit Union. It appears each Friday. Nominate a veteran you know to be profiled by clicking on this link or using the form below. More than 85,000 veterans live in New Hampshire, according to the state’s Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services. Here are some of the many services available to veterans, their families, caregivers and supporters in the state.
New Hampshire Division of Veterans Services
This is the state’s starting point for veterans’ assistance. It can be reached by phone at 603-624-9230 or 800-622-9230, and online at nhveterans.nh.gov/veterans-services. On this site, you can find an important guide to services for veterans and their families. The N.H. Guide to Veterans’ Services is a PDF that can be viewed online or downloaded and printed out, and contains a plethora of important information about all aspects of a veterans’ life. https://www.nhveterans.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt401/files/inline-documents/2021-07/nhes-031320-vets-dir-guide-final.pdf
N.H. Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services
New Hampshire’s Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services (DMAVS) has mission to oversee and support the Service Members of the New Hampshire National Guard (NHNG) and to provide quality services to the state’s veterans and their families, according to its website. Call 603-225-1200 or find it online at https://www.nhveterans.nh.gov. There is a list of the state’s regional Veterans Services Officers and how to reach them or make an appointment at nhveterans.nh.gov/veterans-services/vsos-and-sites
Veterans Count
Veterans Count, a program of Easterseals NH Vets Count, provides mental health counseling, care coordination, housing stabilization, substance use treatment coordination, benefits and resources connection, and emergency financial assistance to all who have served in the military regardless of service era, discharge status or VA eligibility. The program connects veterans and their families with the help and resources they need confidentially. Email intake@vetscount.org or call 603-315-4354 or learn more at vetscount.org. The statewide Veterans Count program has four regional chapters. You can reach the Seacoast chapter at vetscount.org/chapters/seacoast. Vets Count presents local events and fundraisers like the upcoming Veterans Count Pack & Boots 5K Road Race on Sunday, July 5 from 8 to 11 a.m. beginning on Pierce Island in Portsmouth and ending in Prescott Park. Service members, veterans and community members are invited to participate in the fitness event designed for all ages and abilities, which will include a Survival Run-All, where runners carry a pack equal to 10% of their body weight; a Kids Fun Run 100-Meter Dash, and a 5K Road Race. Register at https://vetscount.org/events/veterans-count-pack-boots-5k-road-race/
Veterans Inc.
Veterans Inc. is the largest provider of support services to veterans and their families in New England. Email info@vertansinc.org, call 800-482-2565, sign up for its electronic newsletter and visit veteransinc.org.
Veterans Benefits Administration
A good source of information for the federal government’s veterans’ benefits and where you can search to locate a variety of local offices for federal services. Visit benefits.va.gov/benefits.
Pease ANGB Retiree Activities Office
The Retiree Activities Office at Pease provides information, services and programs to military retirees — all ranks, all services. Its mission is to act as an interface between the active-duty and retired communities; keep retirees updated on various matters; provide information and services as necessary or appropriate; and to represent retired members at the base and Air Force level, according to its website 157arw.ang.af.mil/About-Us/Retiree-Activities-Office/ where you can sign up for a periodic newsletter. The office has limited weekly hours so check its website for when it’s open or call 603-430-2636 and email peaseangb.rao@gmail.com.
Community-based Military Programs
The mission of the state’s Division of Community Based Military Programs is to collaborate, coordinate, and communicate with military and civilian provider groups to promote the delivery of quality health care services to New Hampshire veterans, service members and their families. Visit nhveterans.nh.gov/community-based-military-programs.
National Social Work Program local representatives
There is a social work leader in every VA health care system to help veterans get the care they need, according to the VA website, and connect them to the appropriate VA employee to assist them. New Hampshire’s social work leader is Kristin Maxwell. Contact Kristin. Maxwell@va.gov or call 603-624-4366. Visit socialwork.va.gov/Social_Work_Leaders.asp#NewHampshire.
Veterans Crisis Line
Veterans in crisis or someone who is concerned a veteran is in crisis can reach immediate help by dialing 988, then press 1. This is the National Suicide Hotline and by pressing 1, you’ll reach those specifically trained in veterans’ needs and resources. Veterans don’t need to be enrolled in VA benefit or health care to access this help, and it’s completely confidential. Free and available 24/7 every day. The Crisis Line can also be reached at its previous number, 800-273-8255, by text at 838255 and through chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
Veterans Councils
Many cities and towns in New Hampshire have a Veterans Council to assist its residents. An example is Rochester’s Veterans Council at rochesterveteranscouncil.com or
Veterans Groups and Meetings
Community meetings and socials are a great resource for veterans looking for information and help. The Rochester NH Veterans for Veterans (facebook.com/groups/1258228782144974) meets every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Rochester Community Center and is sponsored by Rochester Recreation. All Veterans are welcome to attend the open discussions, which sometimes host a guest speaker from a veterans organizations to help members find resources. The Portsmouth Senior Activity Center hosts a Drop-In Veterans Social at 1 p.m. every Wednesday sponsored by the local Daughters of the American Revolution. All are welcome.
Assistance for veterans
There are many non-profits that provide a specific service to veterans. Some are:
Vouchers for Veterans
This non-profit, which was founded in Rochester, N.H., recognizes and thanks veterans for their service by providing voucher so they can purchase locally grown and prepared food directly from farmers and growers at local farmers markets. Visit vouchersforveterans.org or find them on Facebook at Vouchersforveterans.
Roofs For Veterans and Roof-A-Vet
Two non-profits will provide veterans with a new roof. Find more info at roofvets.com/roofs-for-veterans and roofavet.org. There are many organizations like these that will assist a veteran with home repairs or renovations.
Northeast Passage
Northeast Passage, based at the University of New Hampshire, provides adaptive sports and recreational opportunities for veteran and active-duty service members of all service eras and all ability levels. Many programs are free through funding from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, a partnership with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Operation Hat Trick and local organizations, according to its website. It offers veteran-specific events, group outings and competitive teams in sled hockey, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair lacrosse or power soccer. Visit nepassage.org/veteran-recreation.
University of New Hampshire Military and Veteran Services
UNH provides service and support to student veterans, service members and other military-affiliated students such as dependents. Contact Kalyn Ryll, director of military and veteran services, at Kalyn.Ryll@unh.edu or 603-862-3480.
Local VFW and American Legion posts
Find a local American Legion post at mylegion.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Find-a-Post. Find a Veterans of Foreign Wars post at vfw.org/find-a-post.
Elks programs for veterans
Many local Elks lodges have events or programs for veterans. The Elks have made a pledge “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” Its Elks National Veterans Service Commission helps local lodges provide services locally. The Portsmouth lodge is very active in helping veterans. Find more information at elks.org/vets/default.cfm?m=programs.
Service Credit Union thanks veterans for their military service and remembers all those service members currently deployed around the world. R.E.D. Friday stands for Remember Everyone Deployed on Fridays when some wear red to honor service members deployed worldwide.
New Hampshire
New charges filed against New Hampshire man who allegedly assaulted Harvard University student
A New Hampshire man has been charged in connection with two Harvard University assaults and breaking into a Massachusetts Institute of Technology dorm room last week.
On May 19 around 5:30 p.m., a woman was walking with a friend to her dorm at Lowell House on Holyoke Place. She entered the building and noticed someone was behind her, so she figured it was another student and held the door for them, according to prosecutor David Witter. The alleged victim told police that the person followed her up to the second floor, and when she went to open her dorm room, he grabbed her by the waist. The woman thought that it was a friend “playing a joke,” but she turned around and did not recognize the man, according to Witter. He then allegedly shoved her into the room.
The woman told police she was able to keep the door open somehow and clawed her way back to the entrance while screaming “no.” The victim told police she was thinking, “I can’t believe this is happening.”
Arthur Krogman, 31, then allegedly attempted to cover her mouth with his hands but was unable to.
“She was still able to yell. The alleged victim started yelling, ‘Help! Help! Help!” Witter said in court.
The victim’s scream for help garnered the attention of other residents in the building who entered the dorm hallway. Krogman then rushed out of the building using the stairway, according to prosecutors.
On May 27, Harvard University Police said that another victim had come forward saying that they were approached by a man near Peabody Terrace. The man allegedly grabbed the person by the wrist and tried to drag them towards a residential building while saying “Come here,” according to a police report. The man fled after the victim was able to release his grip on her wrist.
Police were then able to connect the suspect to another incident at MIT by using surveillance video, which identified Krogman’s green New Hampshire Subaru Outback at both campuses.
MIT Police said in an alert on May 19 that there was a man “acting suspiciously” and had attempted to follow a woman into the Sidney-Pacific graduate student dorm building around 5:45 p.m.
Krogman was identified after police ran his face through a DHS biometric database, which pulled up an Instagram post of a New Hampshire lacrosse team. The team’s coach, Chris Hettler, identified the suspect as Krogman. He also used to work as an EMT in Dunbarton, New Hampshire, where he lives.
Krogman was arrested and charged with kidnapping, witness intimidation, assault and battery, indecent assault and battery, and breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in court but appeared remotely. The judge did not require him to show his face. Krogman will be held without bail until his next court hearing on June 5.
Students celebrating commencement on Thursday said the incident had left them rattled when they first learned of it.
“I was very scared for my safety. I know a lot of people that kind of leave their doors unlocked or open, so I instantly ran back to my place to make sure all my stuff was good,” new graduate Zach Caudill said. “We are still a really strong community and we still just try to make sure it’s a great place to be.
Bring the family to Charmingfare Farm for Reptile Day, a fun and educational animal adventure featuring an exciting live reptile show, up-close reptile encounters, farm animals, and summer fun in Candia, NH.
Kids and adults can learn about amazing reptiles, meet Shelly the sulcata tortoise, enjoy a photo opportunity, and spend the day exploring the farm.
Activities Include
• Live reptile show at 1:00 PM
• Meet reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates up close
• Meet Shelly, Charmingfare Farm’s sulcata tortoise
• Free reptile photo opportunity from 2:00 PM–3:00 PM
• Children’s reptile activity sheet
• Visit Charmingfare Farm’s animal exhibits
• Optional pony rides, horse-drawn rides, and tractor train rides with ride wristband
Event Date:
Saturday, July 18, 2026
A great summer event for families, kids, animal lovers, and anyone looking for something fun and different to do in New Hampshire.
Charmingfare Farm
$23
10:00 AM – 03:00 PM on Sat, 18 Jul 2026
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