Rep. Deborah Ayward

A Free Way to Help Protect Your Home from Property Fraud
For most families, their home is their biggest investment. Unfortunately, criminals are always looking for new ways to commit fraud.

One type of fraud is called property deed fraud.
This happens when someone records a fake deed or other document that appears to transfer ownership of property without the owner's knowledge. While recording a fraudulent document does not automatically make the fraud legal or permanently transfer ownership, it can create serious legal problems that may require time and money to resolve.

The good news is that many New Hampshire counties now offer a free Registry of Deeds Fraud Alert service.

Here's how it works.
You sign up using your name and email address. If a document is later recorded at the Registry of Deeds that matches the name you registered, you receive an email alert. The alert does not mean fraud has occurred. It simply lets you know that a document has been recorded so you can review it.

This service is especially helpful because property owners often don't discover questionable filings until much later. Early notice allows you to investigate more quickly if something doesn't look right.

Keep in mind that the Fraud Alert program is not a guarantee against fraud. It does not stop someone from recording a document, and it does not verify whether a document is legitimate. It is simply an early warning system.

If you receive an alert for a document you do not recognize, contact your county Registry of Deeds as soon as possible. Depending on the situation, you may also need to contact an attorney or local law enforcement.

Signing up takes only a few minutes, costs nothing, and may provide valuable peace of mind.

Whether you own a home, a camp, vacant land, or rental property, this is one more tool you can use to help protect your investment.

A few minutes today could save you a great deal of time and expense tomorrow.

As your State Representative, I encourage every property owner in Merrimack County to consider enrolling in this free service. Protecting your property begins with staying informed.

Newfound School District

Scary School Tour Videos: sau4.org/district/school-consolidation-study

Videos found at bottom of the page: Newfound Elementary at Bristol (Top left; date unknown) and Danbury Elementary School (Bottom left, 2022):

1. Newfound Elementary School at Bristol: My impression is that Bristol presents as an aging facility with numerous visible signs of deferred maintenance. Some spaces appear worn, and the overall impression is of a building that may require substantial capital investment. The district did later report structural issues in one section of Bristol Elementary that required relocating classes and undertaking repairs, illustrating that there were genuine facility concerns.

2. Danbury Elementary School: What stands out is the amount of materials stored throughout classrooms and common areas. There are books, bins, furniture, teaching supplies, and decorations that make some spaces feel cluttered/crowded. That doesn't necessarily mean the building is in poor condition—it may simply reflect limited storage and teachers making the most of the space—but a professional organizer (or a storage renovation) could probably make the school feel much more open, calm and inviting. The grounds could also use some attention.

Danbury Elementary School Building Movement

For those waiting with bated breath as to the fate of the Danbury Elementary School building, you may want to attend the Newfound School District board meeting on Monday, August 10th. as the following is on the agenda: XIV. Old Business; Danbury building Updates.

HB1300 is creating a lot the buzzzz. . . . .

Many people have asked about HB 1300. Here are simple answers to some common questions.

• What is HB 1300?

HB 1300 is a New Hampshire law that lets voters decide whether to place limits on how fast local school property taxes can grow.

• Will my taxes go down?

Not automatically.

The law does not reduce taxes by itself. It limits how much school property taxes may increase in the future if voters approve the ballot question.

• Does the law cut school budgets?

No.

School districts will still create a budget each year. HB 1300 only places limits on how much money can be raised through local school property taxes under the law.

• Can schools still build new schools?

Yes.

Money borrowed for major building projects, such as a new school or a large addition, is generally not counted under the tax limit.

• Why do some people support HB 1300?

Supporters believe it will help slow the growth of property taxes and encourage school districts to spend taxpayer money carefully.

• Why do some people oppose HB 1300?

Opponents believe the limits could make it harder for schools to keep up with rising costs, such as employee benefits, transportation, utilities, and special education.

• Who decides?

You do!

HB 1300 requires the question to appear on local ballots. Voters—not legislators or school boards—will decide whether the tax limit will apply in their community.

• Why is this important?

Property taxes affect nearly everyone. They can influence family budgets, housing costs, and the amount of money available for public schools.

No matter how you plan to vote, take time to read the ballot question and learn the facts. An informed voter is the best voter.

Osborne: “Low Taxes Are The Result Of Low Spending”

AUBURN, N.H. - House Majority Leader Jason Osborne today announced five more public endorsements in his campaign for Speaker of the New Hampshire House. More than 130 sitting members and 2026 Republican candidates have now committed their support to Osborne for Speaker.

“The amount due on your July property tax bill went up, again, and it went up for the same reason it goes up every year. Somebody spent the money before you ever saw it. Nobody in New Hampshire needs a poll to tell them their property tax is too high. They need somebody to actually do something about it,” said Osborne.

“Democrats say they will. Their plan is a three percent income tax, plus a brand new statewide tax on homeowners stacked on top of the one you already pay. Two billion dollars a year.

Andru Volinsky put his name on it and called it savings. Take it out of your left pocket, hand a little back to your right pocket, keep the difference. Not one dollar of spending gets cut to make that math work, because cutting spending was never the point for them.

“They can call it relief all they want, but it's just opening a new drain for your wallet.

“Mel Thomson said one line fifty years ago, and it continues to ring true today. Low taxes are the result of low spending. A budget that grows slower than your paycheck. A property tax bill that doesn't outpace inflation. A young couple that gets to buy the house instead of moving out of state. No state return, no withholding, nothing to file.

“At the state level, we live by this mantra, keeping spending in check, cutting taxes, and allowing our economy to thrive. This November, voters will have a real tool to control the growth of local property tax bills.

“New Hampshire is at a fork in the road.
“With two hundred and forty Republicans in this House, Republicans can protect Granite Staters from following our neighbors down the high-tax and high-spending road by banning an income tax forever. We can rein in out-of-control spending at the local level that forces your property tax bill higher and higher with no accountability, and we can make New Hampshire an even better state to live, start a business, and raise a family.”

Deborah Aylward is a resident of Danbury, NH, and has served as a State Representative since 2022. She can be reached at: Deborah.Aylward@gc.nh.gov, or 603-217-7842.