More than three dozen community members from Portsmouth and Kittery participated in a dialogue on the morning of Feb. 11. They discussed ways to ensure the new Memorial Bridge and the regional transportation system connect the two communities in a way that makes them “the best places to live, work and play for everyone.”

Portsmouth Police Chief David “Lou” Ferland, a 30-year veteran of the force, will retire in September, he announced at a recent Police Commission meeting. Deputy Chief Stephen DuBois will take his place.

Specifically, 57 percent of voters said they oppose a bill that would end collective bargaining rights for public employees, while 35 percent favor such a bill. Only 32 percent think passing a “right to work” bill should be a top priority for the state, while 64 percent think it should not be a priority, at all.

Matthew Spencer hopes his collaborative approach will help make the Hilltop City a thriving gateway to New Hampshire.

During his inaugural address last month, Somersworth Mayor Matthew Spencer reminded his fellow elected officials that several key decisions they will make over the coming months will be felt by future generations. When Spencer looks ahead to that future, he envisions a city with a friendly downtown, a stable economic base and a new bridge providing a welcoming gateway to New Hampshire, and he has vowed to take a collaborative approach to get there.

Matthew Spencer hopes his collaborative approach will help make the Hilltop City a thriving gateway to New Hampshire.

During his inaugural address last month, Somersworth Mayor Matthew Spencer reminded his fellow elected officials that several key decisions they will make over the coming months will be felt by future generations. When Spencer looks ahead to that future, he envisions a city with a friendly downtown, a stable economic base and a new bridge providing a welcoming gateway to New Hampshire, and he has vowed to take a collaborative approach to get there.

New Hampshire residents are divided about the performance of the current state Legislature, according to the UNH Survey Center’s latest Granite State Poll. But they have strong opinions about certain controversial issues. And while 42 percent of residents approve of the job the Legislature is doing, House Speaker Bill O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) has a net favorability rating of -2 percent.

More than 30 employers and organizations will be on hand at Great Bay Community College for a job fair on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Hosted by U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta, the fair will enable people who are seeking work or career changes to meet with employers about job options. T

An alarmingly high number of foreclosure deeds were recorded in New Hampshire during the month of December. But the totals for 2011 were still lower than the previous year, according to the N.H. Housing Finance Authority.

A series of public meetings about the statewide rail system kicks off in Portsmouth this month. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation will hold the first of three meetings at Portsmouth City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 29.

More than 20 local yoga studios joined forces to raise money for needy families during the fourth annual Seacoast Yoga Mala on Sunday, Feb. 12. Together, they raised more than $11,000 for the (H)EAT Campaign.

The national unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in three years, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Through January, the unemployment rate had fallen to 8.3 percent, its lowest level since February 2009.

Employers will be looking to fill a variety of positions during the Exeter Regional Job Fair on Thursday, Feb. 9. Hosted by N.H. Employment Security, the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce and the Exeter Rotary Club, the fair will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Town Hall at 1 Front St.

Another Seacoast-area Democrat has thrown her name into New Hampshire’s gubernatorial field. Former state senator Jacalyn Cilley, of Barrington, officially announced her candidacy on Feb. 7.

On Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m., Farmington Town Hall will host a Congressional Candidates’ Forum for three political hopefuls seeking the Democratic nomination for New Hampshire’s First Congressional District seat. The three candidates are former Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, Joanne Dowdell and Andrew Hosmer.

Beer lovers are keeping a close eye on HB 1172, which would allow licensed nano breweries to sell their products at farmers’ markets. Sponsored by Rep. Donna Schlachman (D-Exeter), the bill gives small breweries new opportunities to sell their beer. A nano brewery is one that produces fewer than 2,000 barrels annually. Under existing law, farmers’ markets can offer wine but not beer. House committees are also exploring a number of other bills that would loosen laws pertaining to beer and marijuana. Several of those bills had public hearings last week in Concord and are due for further discussion in coming days.

Jean said his top priority as mayor is to expand the city’s commercial tax base and help foster job growth, and progress is being made on both fronts. Safran USA is constructing a 275,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on a 50-acre site in the Granite State Business Park off Route 108. Safran will partner with Albany Engineered Composites (site of Vice President Joe Biden’s recent visit) to manufacture jet engine components. The new facility, expected to open in the summer of 2013, will bring 400 advanced manufacturing jobs to Rochester, Jean said.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has requested another round of base closures, potentially threatening the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Panetta asked Congress to authorize the Base Realignment and Closure process on Jan. 26.

Voters have turned in more than 105,000 signatures in support of putting gay marriage to another statewide vote. If enough of the signatures are certified by election officials, a gay marriage question will be included on the November ballot.

Deputy House Speaker Pamela Tucker of Greenland is seeking a seat on the Republican National Committee. Tucker announced on Jan. 23 she would run for the position to be vacated by current committeewoman Phyllis Woods of Dover.

A growing number of prominent Republicans have joined the leadership team of Standing Up for New Hampshire Families, a bipartisan group that opposes efforts to repeal the state’s same-sex marriage law. The organization is co-chaired by Lew Feldstein, former president of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and Craig Stowell, a Republican businessman and former marine. Its main spokesperson is Christine Baratta, who previously served as communications director for the state GOP under former chair Jack Kimball.

Durham activated three new “Pay and Display” parking kiosks on Pettee Brook Lane on Jan. 17, and town officials are seeking feedback about how they work.

New Hampshire will receive another $6.5 million in home heating aid from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It’s the last payment the state will receive this winter for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Greenland will hold its town elections in March, and a number of positions are up for grabs. The filing period for municipal candidates opened on Jan. 25 and will remain open through Friday, Feb. 3.

Part of a series profiling the region’s newly elected municipal leaders and their communities

Dean Trefethen hopes to lead a divided constituency through a time of significant
development. Trefethen said he plans to invite citizens to a “mayor’s forum” within the next month or so. Among other things, he hopes to gather feedback about how much or how little change the citizenry would like to see in Dover.

The first documented case of voter fraud in New Hampshire in recent memory emerged during the Jan. 10 presidential primary, when a conservative group deliberately committed fraud to make a political point. Republican leaders say the resulting video illustrates the need to reform New Hampshire’s election laws and require voter identification. But Democrats called the video a “shameful scam” aimed at drumming up support for unneeded legislation.

Budget season is underway in Portsmouth, as the School Board held its first public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2013 budget on Jan. 17. A number of other public hearings will follow in the coming weeks.

Seacoast businesspeople will have a chance to ask questions of federal, state and local officials during the 2012 Legislative Reception. The event takes place at the Sheraton Harborside Hotel in Portsmouth on Thursday, Jan. 19.

The N.H. Legislature is diving into another batch of controversial bills in 2012.

Democrats and some moderate Republicans in New Hampshire will remember 2011 as a year of exceptionally divisive and extreme legislation, as conservative ideologies that spread across the nation like an oil slick spilled into the Granite State. And there’s plenty more where that came from ahead in 2012.

Part of a series profiling the region’s newly elected municipal leaders and their communities

“Mostly we have opportunities, because all these people are coming here and spending their money,” said newly elected Mayor Eric Spear. “But we also have challenges to absorb that influx. These are nice things, but at the end of the day, I do work for the residents, the people who voted for me.”

Dover residents could see their sewer rates increase by more than 50 percent if the Environmental Protection Agency imposes stiffer nitrogen limits to benefit Great Bay.