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New Hampshire
House kills ‘HOMEnibus bill,’ voting against attempt to incentivize housing • New Hampshire Bulletin
The New Hampshire House voted down a bipartisan bill meant to make it easier to build housing in the state, in a 188-173 vote last week that kills the legislation for the year.
Proponents of Senate Bill 538, known as the “HOMEnibus,” argued it would help dislodge barriers to housing development and give cities and towns new tools to increase housing units.
“The Municipal and County Government Committee heard much testimony that New Hampshire has a severe housing crisis,” wrote Rep. David Preece, a Manchester Democrat, in a report to the House ahead of the vote. “It is affecting businesses, the economy, and our labor market because of the lack of housing and affordability. This bill enables local governing boards to use another tool to address the housing shortage in their communities.”
The latest version of the bill allowed cities and towns to create “office conversion zones,” within which developers could get property tax breaks to convert commercial real estate buildings into residential housing. It also allowed towns and cities to speed up changes to the zoning code: The bill allowed residents to empower their local councils or boards of selectmen to pass new zoning codes; currently zoning codes may be changed only once a year at town meeting. That empowerment of local officials would need to be approved by the town via a warrant article.
And the bill would require that town and city planning boards consider alternative parking options when deciding whether to approve or deny a new housing development. That would allow developers to propose housing projects that don’t include new parking lots for residents but utilize existing public or private lots; the bill would require the planning board to seriously consider those proposals.
The bill passed the Senate unanimously. But a group of 170 Republicans and 18 Democrats voted to kill the bill in the House Thursday. Voting against that motion were 165 Democrats and seven Republicans.
To housing advocates, the bill would have helped interested towns incentivize housing development and speed up the process, at a time when many businesses are struggling to find workers due to low housing availability.
Housing prices and rents are at record highs, and the state’s rental vacancy rate is below 1 percent, a number that housing experts say is far below the recommended rate of 5 percent. And homelessness in the state increased by 30 percent from 2020 to 2022, according to the state’s annual point in time count and the latest report from the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness.
“A few simple adjustments to our zoning and planning procedures would encourage a modest increase in this desperately needed supply,” said Rep. Laurel Stavis, a Lebanon Democrat.
But opponents took issue with each of the bill’s parts. Rep. Len Turcotte, a Barrington Republican and chairman of the Municipal and County Government Committee, argued that the Legislature should not allow towns to give property tax breaks for housing, because doing so could just raise property taxes for other businesses and homeowners in town. Turcotte argued the bill could allow town officials to give unfair tax favors to favored developers.
Turcotte also opposed empowering local government officials to make changes to zoning codes without town meeting approval. In a report to the full House, Turcotte wrote: “The ability to change the municipality’s zoning on very short notice without time for the citizenry to consider and vote on the proposed changes is anathema to good governance.”
And he and others opposed the part of the bill requiring local boards to consider alternative parking solutions, noting that it “would actually require zero parking to be part of any development proposal,” which he said could lead to parking congestion in towns.
Rep. Diane Power, a Brookline Republican, said the office conversion zones could have the effect of forcing businesses to move out if their landlords decided to convert their office buildings to apartments instead.
“This bill is extremely ill-advised as it displaces business tenants, making them homeless when business space is converted to residential use,” she said.
The nearly party-line vote was a blow to efforts by housing advocates to create a bipartisan coalition to pass zoning reform.
The Republicans joining Democrats to vote against killing the bill included Reps. Joe Alexander, of Goffstown; Keith Ammon, of New Boston; Ross Berry, of Manchester; Jim Kofalt, of Wilton; Tom Mannion, of Pelham; Fred Plett, of Goffstown; and Joe Sweeney of Salem.
But nearly twice as many Democrats broke from their party to kill the bill, including Reps. Peggy Balboni, of Rye; Karen Calabro, of Hollis; Mike Edgar, of Hampton; Sallie Fellows, of Holderness; Julie Gilman, of Exeter; Jeffrey Goley, of Manchester; Jaci Grote, of Rye; Cathryn Harvey, of Chesterfield; Jim Maggiore, of North Hampton; Kat McGhee, of Hollis; Nancy Murphy, of Merrimack; Catherine Rombeau, of Bedford; Rosemarie Rung, of Merrimack; Dianne Schuett, of Pembroke; Carry Spier, of Nashua; Charlie St. Clair, of Laconia; Mark Vallone, of Epping; and Jonah Wheeler, of Peterborough.
Housing advocates expressed disappointment after the vote.
“It’s hard to fathom that the House voted down the HOMEnibus bill in the midst of New Hampshire’s housing crisis,” said Elissa Margolin, director of Housing Action NH, an advocacy group. “However, housing advocates must remain energized, expand our coalitions, and continue to educate policy makers.”
The move to kill the bill was recommended by the Municipal and County Government Committee, which has often voted in recent years against housing bills that are seen to take away local control. But the vote also came as political leaders in both parties have emphasized the need for more housing.
In early 2023, Speaker Sherman Packard formed the House Special Committee on Housing, which was tasked with exploring legislation that might help the state close its housing deficit. That committee has endorsed a number of bills that have passed the full House this year, including House Bill 1291, which would allow homeowners to build two accessory dwelling units by right, up from the current one.
HB 1291 is currently in the Senate Commerce Committee; a public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. But SB 538 was seen by observers as the most comprehensive approach to zoning.
Speaking from the floor, Alexander, the chairman of the House Special Committee, expressed frustration at the lack of support for the bill.
“I’m not shocked that the Municipal and County Government Committee would recommend killing another bill related to housing,” he said. “Mr. Speaker, did you create a special committee for that very reason? Only time will tell.”
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Local News
Brodie Perry and Jack Borowski carried the woman for two hours down to the base of the mountain.
Two members of the Mashpee Boy Scouts of America Troop 36 carried an injured woman down Mount Lafayette in New Hampshire over Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend.
Brodie Perry and Jack Borowski, both seniors at Mashpee Middle-High School, were leading the troop’s annual hike in the White Mountains when they came across the injured woman, they told Boston.com.
The two scouts asked the woman and her family members, who were trying to carry her down, if they needed any help to which they said no, Borowski said. The woman’s legs were shaking, and her family kept dropping her as daylight quickly ran out, they noticed.
The troop followed behind the family for a while, and ultimately Borowski and Perry offered to carry her down.
It took the two scouts two hours to carry the woman two miles to the base of the mountain, they said.
“If we were to just keep walking and go to the bottom, I don’t know if they would get down, or if they did get down, they would definitely be injured even more than they were,” Perry said.
Both Borowski and Perry value the skills they learned in the Boy Scouts.
“As you begin, you’re someone who listens to the leaders … but as you go, you slowly become the person who’s leading. It’s a really good natural way to go from someone who’s like beginning to someone who’s truly teaching the people around you,” Perry said.
“I’ve developed a lot as a person. You get a lot of experience in leadership and survival skills and helping other people,” Borowski continued. “It’s just really good program to help improve you as a person.”
Borowski is already an Eagle Scout, the highest Boy Scout rank, and Perry is set to be named an Eagle Scout in the next month or so.
After high school graduation, Borowski plans to enlist in the military, and Perry wants to study engineering at a four-year college.
New Hampshire
Teen Driver Accused Of Fleeing Trooper, Crashing Into A House: New Hampshire State Police Roundup
CONCORD, NH — A man from Concord was accused of driving 135 mph during another traffic enforcement initiative in New Hampshire, this time, on Interstate 93 in Bow on Sunday.
Logan Drew, 22, of Concord, was among 35 drivers stopped during the enforcement effort. According to state police, around 9:30 a.m., a sergeant in a state police aircraft saw a driver in a vehicle traveling south “at an extremely high rate of speed,” a report said. The trooper clocked the vehicle at up to 130 mph. Information was relayed to troopers on the ground, and Drew was pulled over, the report said. He was charged with reckless operation and operating after suspension charges. Drew is due in Concord District Court on Jan. 9, 2026.
During the enforcement, which lasted three hours, 40 violations were observed. Of those, 25 drivers were traveling at 90 mph or faster. Two of the drivers had suspended privileges.
Find out what’s happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
State police said driving recklessly at 100 mph or more carries a minimum fine of $620 and a 60-day license suspension. After the first of the year, the fine increases to $930 and a 90-day loss of license.
Logan Drew was arrested on several charges on Nov. 23. Credit: NHSP
Find out what’s happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Teen Accused Of Crashing Into Home, Fleeing Scene
A teen from Gilmanton was arrested last week on several charges after a chase in the Lakes Region.
Around 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 18, a trooper attempted to stop the driver of a 2013 Ford Taurus on Route 104 in Meredith for having tinted windows. The driver, Patrick Cameron Hamel, 19, of Gilmanton, was accused of refusing to stop, speeding, and illegally passing other vehicles. He then lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a home on Shoreline Drive in New Hampton.
Hamel was arrested and charged with reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, reckless operation, conduct after an accident, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal restraint, and disobeying a police officer. He was held on preventive detention and was due to appear in court on Nov. 19.
Troopers were assisted by New Hampton police and firefighters and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Nathan Cobis at nathan.f.cobis@dos.nh.gov.
Patrick Cameron Hamel was accused of fleeing state police and crashing into a home in New Hampton on Nov. 18. Credit: NHSP
Also Read
Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the New Hampshire State Police and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.
Troop A Blotter
11/01/2025 01:05, HAMPTON FALLS, HERNANDEZ PEREZ, JANCY Y. (23); BIDDEFORD, MAINE, 631:3 (RECKLESS CONDUCT-DEADLY WEAPON), 318-B:2,I (CNTRL DRUG: SCHED 1-4; POSSESSION), 265-A:3,I(C) (DUI AGGRVTD ATTEMPT TO ELUDE POLICE), 264:25 (CONDUCT AFTER ACCIDENT), 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT).
11/01/2025 09:37 SOMERSWORTH, MERCIER, EDWARD J. (49); SOMERSWORTH, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).
11/01/2025 11:57, EXETER, JACK, ADAM (35); NOTTINGHAM, 262:23 (OPERATE AFTER CERT AS HABITUAL OFFENDER).
11/01/2025 16:33, NORTH HAMPTON, BUEHLER, JOSEPH LEE (49); PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT).
11/02/2025 01:54, GREENLAND, DENELLE, OLIVER T. (26); NARRAGANSETT, RI, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 631:3 (RECKLESS CONDUCT-DEADLY WEAPON), 642:2 (RESIST ARREST/DETENTION), 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE), 264:25 (CONDUCT AFTER ACCIDENT).
11/02/2025 09:03, HAMPTON, REYNOLDS, RYAN MARK (40); DIEPPE, NK 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 639:3,I (ENDANGERING WELFARE OF CHILD).
11/02/2025 10:55, HAMPTON FALLS, MCRAE, HEATHER JOYCE (61); SOMERSWORTH, 265:60 (SPEEDING 25+ MPH OVER 65 LIMIT), 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION), 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION).
11/02/2025 14:30, HAMPTON, BURR, THOMAS SPENCER (33); BARTLETT, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT).
11/02/2025 17:12, NORTH HAMPTON, HOLT, DAVID FREDERICK (59); PELHAM, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).
11/02/2025 23:32, GREENLAND, ROBICHAUD, CASSIDY R. (24); AUGUSTA, ME, 270:29-B (RECKLESS OPERATION OF BOATS).
11/02/2025 23:34, NORTH HAMPTON, EUCEDA, JONATHAN JOSUE (25); MANCHESTER, 263:1-A (IMPROPER PERSON OPERATING VEHICLE), 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION).
11/02/2025 23:34 NORTH HAMPTON, MUNOZ BENITEZ, LENON I. (36); LONDONDERRY, 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 263:64,VI (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-SUBSQT).
10/27/2025 21:32, HAMPTON, DODIER, JACOB ANDREW (19); DOVER, 263:64,V-A(B) (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-ORIGINAL AND YOUTH), 263:63 (DRIVING WITHOUT GIVING PROOF), 265:25 (FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY), 263:12 (PROHIBITIONS RE: DRIVERS LICENSE).
10/28/2025 21:19, HAMPTON, ELBROLOSY, ABDELRAHMAN (28); QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).
10/29/2025 00:26, EPPING, CARLETON, NICHOLAS J. (28); EPPING, 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION).
10/29/2025 03:08, EAST KINGSTON, TUITE, CAMERON JAMES (24); EAST KINGSTON, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265-A:2,I(B) (DUI; ADULT>.08; MINOR>.02), 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 634:2,II (CRIMINAL MISCHIEF), 644:2 (DISORDERLY CONDUCT).
10/29/2025 09:38, HAMPTON, RIVERA, JOSE LUIS (58); CAMBRIDGE, MA, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).
10/29/2025 16:13, NORTH HAMPTON, BOURNE, MELISSA D. (28); ELIOT, ME, 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 263:64,VI (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-SUBSQT), 261:40 (UNREGISTERED VEHICLE).
10/30/2025 19:30, ROCHESTER, HORTON, REBECCA CLAUDETTTE (30); ROCHESTER, 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE).
10/30/2025 21:00, DOVER, KEPFORD-SEKMEN, MARISSA SUE (32); SOMERSWORTH, 263:64,VI (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-SUBSQT), 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 265:109 (OPERATING WITHOUT LIGHTS).
10/31/2025 05:15, GREENLAND, DENGLER, NOAH J. (23); WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).
10/31/2025 08:18, SEABROOK, BIANCUZZO, JOSEPH J. (54); HAVERHILL, MA, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).
10/31/2025 22:15, EXETER, MOULTON, KYLE ROBERT (24); RAYMOND, NH 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT).
10/31/2025 22:39, ROCHESTER, WILLARD, COLIN AVERY (26); S TAMWORTH, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).
10/31/2025 23:44, DOVER, MACIAS CARRIEL, ANGEL DANIEL (17); ALTON, NH 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE).
Troop B Blotter
10/30/2025 13:35, NASHUA, BALL, SHANE EDWARD (23); MANCHESTER, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 265:79-B (NEGLIGENT DRIVING).
10/31/2025 10:04, NASHUA, JONES, CRYSTAL LEE (38); LOWELL, MA, 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE).
11/01/2025 01:00, MANCHESTER, DROUIN, DANIELLE (35); RINDGE, NH 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265-A:2,I(B) (DUI; ADULT>.08; MINOR>.02).
11/01/2025 03:22, RAYMOND, MCCLAUGHRY-BERTELSEN, SAVANNAH LEIGH (18);
MANCHESTER, 631:3 (RECKLESS CONDUCT-DEADLY WEAPON), 265-A:3,III (DUI AGGRVTD 0.16+), 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 265-A:45 (TRANSPORT ALCOHOL OR MARIJUANA BY MINOR), 265-A:44 (OPEN CONTAINER ALCOHOL OR MARIJUANA).
11/01/2025 17:26, MANCHESTER, ERICKSON, THOMAS ALEXANDER (61); MANCHESTER, 262:23 (OPERATE AFTER CERT AS HABITUAL OFFENDER), 263:64,VI (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-SUBSQT), 263:63 (DRIVING WITHOUT GIVING PROOF), 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 265:22 (YELLOW/SOLID LINE VIOLATION).
11/02/2025 07:42 BEDFORD, SANTOS, JONATHAN A. (38); MANCHESTER, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).
Troop D Blotter
10/27/2025 10:46, BOW, MAYANGE, ABDULLAHI (30); BURLINGTON, VERMONT, 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE), 265:37-A (DUTY WHEN APPROACHING HIGHWAY EMERGENCY).
10/28/2025 19:08, CONTOOCOOK, WELCH, BRUCE (52); HOOKSETT, 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION), 263:64 (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS).
10/28/2025 21:20, TILTON, KNOX, MEGAN N. (38); DANBURY, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).
10/29/2025 00:59, CONCORD, BUTLER, JAMIE L(43); ASHLAND, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).
10/29/2025 20:41, WARNER, ALLISON, JAMES MATTHEW (46); WARNER, 631:2-B,I(A) (DV; SIMPLE ASSAULT; BI OR PC).
10/30/2025 08:45, HOPKINTON, ZAREMBO, DOUGLAS SCOTT (33); WILMOT, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265:22 (YELLOW/SOLID LINE VIOLATION).
10/30/2025 16:49, CONCORD, RILEY, CAMERON JAMES (39); LACONIA, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI 2ND; IMPAIRMENT), 264:25 (CONDUCT AFTER ACCIDENT), 634:2,II (CRIMINAL MISCHIEF), 318-B:2,I (CNTRL DRUG: SCHED 1-4; POSSESSION), 265-A:37,I (ALC INTERLOCK MV NOT EQUIPPED W/INTERLOCK).
10/31/2025 22:26, BOW, VIEU, MICHAEL R. (59); BOULDER, MONTANA, 159:3-A (HAND GUNS ARMED CAREER CRIMINAL), 159:3,I (FELON IN POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS WEAPON), 637:7 (RECV STOLEN PROP; $1501+).
11/01/2025 07:03, SUTTON, SHARIAN MAYANCHA, ANGEL ABRAHAM (41); BROCKTON, MA, 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE), 265:60 (SPEEDING 21-24 MPH OVER 65 LIMIT).
11/01/2025 23:54 BOW, SMITH, BOBBI ALEXANDRA (32); HILLSBOROUGH, 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION).
Other Arrests
11/04/2025 17:56, WALPOLE, SCULLY, BRANDY N. (29); KEENE, 265-A:3,I(D) (DUI AGGRVTD PASSENGER UNDER 16).
10/29/2025 19:45, OSSIPEE, RYDER, CODY E. (30); CTR OSSIPEE, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 631:2-B,I(F) (DV; SEXUAL ASSAULT; CONTACT & FORCE), 631:2-B,I(A) (DV; SIMPLE ASSAULT; BI OR PC), 642:2 (RESIST ARREST/DETENTION), 642:1 (OBSTRUCT GOVT ADMINISTRATION).
11/16/2025 15:27, LYME, FENIELLO, MARIE A(65); RAMSEY, NJ, 644:8,III (CRUELTY TO ANIMALS; NEGLIGENT), 644:8,III (CRUELTY TO ANIMALS; NEGLIGENT).
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