Window coverings are installed on the Grafton Center Meetinghouse in a photo from the 2021-25 New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources five-year plan. Input is being sought for the next plan. Photo/New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources
CONCORD, NH – The New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources is celebrating its 50th anniversary with an update to its statewide preservation plan, and is seeking input from anyone who has thoughts on historic preservation in the state, from stakeholders to casual history buffs.
The states preservation officials are particularly hoping real estate brokers, developers, students and members of Main Street organizations will weigh in, groups that were missing from participation in the current plan.
The anonymous online questionnaire will help form the new plan, which is required by the National Park Service and must be updated every five years, according to NHDHR. The plan gives an overview of historic preservation in the state over the previous five years, as well as sets goals for the future. It can be used by communities and organizations to guide their own historic preservation efforts.
The current plan spans 2021-25, and it can be viewed or downloaded on NHDHR’s website. It even has its own Instagram account. To answer the questionnaire, click here.
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The current plan was put together during the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited the input that has traditionally been gathered from listening sessions. Organizers found that there was also less participation in the online questionnaire for the current plan than in the past, down two-thirds from the previous one.
Out of the 25 ways people can identify themselves in the questionnaire, there were no respondents who self-identified as being a Realtor or property developer, a student or from a Main Street organization. Plan organizers hope to reach people who identify as being members of these groups with the questionnaire for the new plan.
“These groups represent a knowledge base that is important to governance and the future of how we preserve our cities and towns,” the introduction to the current plan says.
The current plan’s introduction points out that the preservation plan “is for everyone.”
“It is for those who are interested in the cultural and economic value of preserving and leveraging the state’s historic and cultural assets. It is for those who are actively involved in historic preservation activities. It is for those who may not knowingly identify as preservationists, but who simply enjoy the landscapes, buildings, and neighborhoods that make New Hampshire’s communities distinctive.”
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Participation in the 2021-25 statewide preservation plan, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and officials hope that real estate professionals, developers, students and members of Main Street organizations will add their insights to the questionnaire for the upcoming plan. Graphic/New Hampshire Department of Historical Resources
The economic benefits of historic preservation are felt both on the most local level, as well as state-wide.
Spending $1 million for historic renovation benefits a community more than $1 million in new construction, including in job creation and increased retail sales, according to DHR.
“Real estate companies, lending institutions, personal service vendors, and eating and drinking establishments will all receive more monetary benefit from $1,000,000 in rehabilitation than from $1,000,000 in new construction,” the department says.
Historic renovations of underused and abandoned buildings can also help chip away at the state’s housing crisis.
“Restoring historic properties to include residential units not only makes more housing choices available to residents of all ages but is an important key to revitalizing downtowns and town centers,” the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance says on its website.
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NH DHR says that the general impact and benefits of historic preservation and renovation is widespread. “Through historic preservation, all New Hampshire residents should feel empowered to recognize, preserve, use, and protect the historic resources and cultural landscapes vital to the state’s identity,” the current plan says. “This statewide preservation plan provides the roadmap for the next five years. It can serve as inspiration and an opportunity to connect individuals, commissions, politicians, and develop partnerships towards the same end.”
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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