Bouley Seeks Historic 7th Term As Concord Mayor: Election 2019

CONCORD, NH — On the first day of filing for Concord municipal races in 2019, as expected, a number of incumbents signed up to run again but so did two new candidates running for open city council seats. Jim Bouley, the mayor of the city of Concord who was elected in 2007, signed up to run for a seventh term Friday. At-Large City Councilor Byron Champlin, who was elected during a special election in March, also signed up to run for a full four-term term.

Four Ward city councilors, Jennifer Kretovic of Ward 3, Meredith Hatfield in Ward 4, Keith Nyhan from Ward 7, who lives on South Street, and Gail Matson, who lives on Garvins Falls Road, in Ward 8, also signed up to run again.

For the board of education, only one candidate, Jim Richards of Willard Street, who holds the District A seat, representing Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4, signed up to run again.

Two new council candidates signed up to run for open seats Friday: Nathan Fennessy, a former school board member who lives in School Street, filed to run for the open at-large seat being vacated by Mark Coen, and Erle Pierce of Cabernet Drive signed up to run for the Ward 2 council seat after Allan Herschlag decided to step down after three terms.

Bouley, who is believed to be the longest serving mayor since the city was founded in 1808, said New Hampshire's capital city was going through a renaissance, of sorts, with a redeveloped main street, new businesses, and opportunities for young families who are moving into the community. There is, however, more work to be done, he said.

"This city is a great city to live in," Bouley said. "It has transformed over the past several years. I'm very proud of what we have done as a council and I'm looking forward to continuing to make those investments to our infrastructure … continue to attack the homeless and opioid crisis and (improve) the social safety net."

Bouley said the city would also be making larger investments in the neighborhoods, would play an active role in the I-93 expansion project, and the Exit 17 development, which, he hopes, will expand the tax base in Penacook and bring property tax relief for residents in the Merrimack Valley School District.

Champlin, who lives on Rumford Street and was previously the Ward 4 councilor, was elected fill out the remaining months of Steve Shurtleff's term earlier this year. Shurtleff was named speaker of the house in 2018. Champlin also has an eye on the I-93 expansion plans as well as the "opportunity corridor," a strip of land owned by both private and public interests between Loudon Road and Bridge Street up to I-393 and Horseshoe Pond.

"I really would love to have a full four-year term … so I can dig a little deeper into these issues," he said. "(The corridor and I-93 widening) are probably biggest opportunity that we have in Concord to broaden our tax base, to reduce stress on our individual homeowners, property taxpayers."

Concord NH Patch 2019 Election Coverage:

• Mayor, City Council, School Board Filings Start Friday In Concord
• Concord School District - filing for election to school board
• Ward 2 Concord City Councilor Herschlag Won't Seek Re-Election In November
• Concord Board Of Education Election Signups Begin Sept. 6
• At-Large Concord City Councilor Coen Won't Run For Re-Election
• Hatfield Wins Sleepy Concord City Council Special Election
• Attorney Wants To Eye Transportation, Other Issues On The Council
• Is Third Time The Charm For Concord City Council Candidate Cook?
• Chiasson Hopes Years Of Experience Will Elect Her To City Council
• Concord Special Election After Shurtleff, St. Hilaire Departures

Gallen Drive resident Kretovic joked that she was a "glutton for punishment" to signup again but added that she really loved the interaction with residents in her ward.

"I will meet with (residents) and work through things," she said. "That is why I run for city council and that's why I think that I'm a really good ward representative because people know that they can trust me (and) that I will listen to them"

Hatfield was elected in June to fill out the remaining months of Champlin's term after he was elected to the at-large seat. In a few months, she said, she had learned that there were a lot of issues in the city, including parking, traffic, solid waste, recycling, wastewater challenges, and other issues.

"I've enjoyed my first three months," said Hatfield, who lives on Perkins Street in the city's North End, "so I would like to continue to represent my ward."

David Parker, who ran a spirited but unsuccessful effort for the at-large seat earlier this year, said he will not be running for city council this cycle.

According to the Concord city clerk's office, both Charles Nelson in Ward 4, and Nicholas Wallner in Ward 5, signed up to run for ward clerk while Jae Whitelaw in Ward 10 and John Williams in Ward 4 signed up to run for moderator.

How To Get Involved

The filing fee to run for mayor and council is $5 or the collection of petition signatures. Ward filing fees are $1. Candidates have until Monday, Sept. 16, to file at the city clerk's office on Green Street. The clerk's office will be open until 6 p.m. on Sept. 12, and 5 p.m. on Sept. 16. For more information, visit the city clerk's filing for office site.

Individuals wishing to declare candidacy for a Board of Education seat should file with Roger B. Phillips, Esq., clerk, at Phillips Law Office, PLLC, 104 Pleasant St. in Concord by Sept. 16. An informational session will be scheduled Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the Central Office on Liberty Street, for new candidates interested in running. For more information, call 603-225-2767.

Running? Tell Concord NH Patch!

When and if you signup to run for any office, reach out to Concord NH Patch. Our site will be featuring candidate profiles as well as other information about the campaigns. Fill out the Patch Candidate Profile Form here, and email a photo of yourself, too.

Vote On Nov. 5

Voters go to the polls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, to cast ballots for municipal offices.

Voters will choose a two-year term for mayor, two-year terms for ward councilors in each of the 10 wards, and two at-large (citywide) council seats for four-year terms. Ward clerks and moderators will also be elected to two-year terms as well as supervisory of the checklist for a six-year term. Three district seats for the Concord Board of Education will also be chosen. District A covers Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4; District B covers Wards 4, 5, and 6; District C represents Wards 8, 9, and 10.

After the ballot positions are set, voters who won't be home on Election Day can request absentee ballots with the city clerk.

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