Contracted Social Services

Strafford County Current Bids

Strafford County Bids
Click Here to See A List of Current Bids

2025 Strafford County Commissioners Proposed Budget

Click Here to view the 2025 Commissioners Proposed Budget

The Official website of Strafford County New Hampshire

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On Wednesday January 8^th 2025 Strafford County marked a noteworthy occasion as newly elected officials took their oaths of office at the Strafford County Justice and Administration Building. The ceremony featured inspiring remarks from the Honorable Chief Justice Mark Howard and George Maglaras, Chairman of the Strafford County Board of Commissioners. The event was attended by community leaders, family, and friends and concluded with a sense of unity and optimism as the officials began their new terms, ready to serve the community. Sworn-in Strafford County Board of Commissioners: George Maglaras, Chairman, Joe Pitre, Vice Chairman, Sean Leavitt, Clerk, County Treasurer: Pam Arnold, County Attorney: Emily Garod, Sheriff: Kathryn Mone, Register of Deeds: Catherine Berube, Register of Probate: Jan Nedelka.

WELCOME TO STRAFFORD COUNTY, NH!

Welcome to the Strafford County website. Whether you are a current, past, or prospective resident, we hope you enjoy your visit to our virtual home.

County Functions and Responsibilities

The County is currently responsible for: Caring for the elderly in need of nursing home care at Riverside Rest Home; operating a regional jail/house of correction, together with a jail industries program, community corrections program, drug and mental health courts, and a transitional housing program; the County Attorney oversees and provides for the prosecution of criminals; operates a domestic violence unit, child advocacy center, and family justice center; the Sheriff oversee and handles the transportation of criminals, delivery of writs and other Court-related paperwork, operates a Communications and Dispatch Center, and oversees Courthouse security; the Register of Deeds is responsible for the recording of official land transfer documents at the Registry; the Treasurer, together with the Commissioners, oversee the payment of all County financial obligations; as well as a variety of other community-related programs to assist the citizens of the County.

County Government’s Structure

The structure of County government today is modeled after a basic three-branch system of government. The three County Commissioners make up the Executive branch, with responsibility for the day‑to‑day operations of County government, in both fiscal and policy matters. In Strafford County, the Commissioners are elected for two-year terms, at large, meaning from anywhere in Strafford County.

By virtue of election to the State House, a Representative also becomes a member of the County Delegation, which in many counties meets several times a year. The Delegation works primarily on matters of budgeting, exercising its responsibility for appropriating money for County use, which makes up the Legislative branch of County government. It is likely that relatively few New Hampshire voters realize that when they elect their Representatives to the State House of Representatives they are also making them the legislative authority of their County.

Current County Events

Strafford County is made up of three cities: Dover, Rochester, and Somersworth; and ten towns: Barrington, Durham, Farmington, Lee, Madbury, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Rollinsford, and Strafford, and is home to approximately 125,000 citizens. There are ten (10) counties in New Hampshire, of which Strafford County is the fourth largest in population. According to the 2010 Census the County's population was estimated at 123,143, with 80% of the population over the age of 18 and a median age of approximately 34. Strafford County's estimated racial/ethnic composition in 2010 was 94% White, 1% Black or African American, 3% Asian, and 0.2% American Indian or Alaskan Native, with the remainder of the population being made up of small percentages of other races. Individuals of Hispanic or Latino origin comprised almost 2% of the County’s population. There were 46,576 households reported in 2006-2010. The Census also found that the median household income in the County was $57,809.

A Brief History of Strafford County Government

County Government in New Hampshire began in 1771 with five (5) counties: Rockingham, Strafford, Hillsborough, Cheshire, and Grafton. Strafford County was organized at Dover in 1771 and was named after William Wentworth, 2^nd Earl of Strafford. Today, the County borders on Belknap, Carroll, Merrimack, and Rockingham Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The Court system was once a part of County Government, but is now operated by the State of New Hampshire. Roads, which were also previously the responsibility of the County, are now cared for by the State of New Hampshire or the city or town in which they are located. The State Department of Health and Human Services provides services to assist families and juveniles with behavior problems. These services were also provided by the County at one time.

We hope this little synopsis of County government has enlightened you as to the workings at this level of government in New Hampshire. For further information on individual offices and departments within the County, please go to their web page.

Very truly yours,

Strafford County Commissioners

George Maglaras

George Maglaras, Chairman

Robert J. Watson

Robert J. Watson, Vice Chairman

Deanna Rollo

Deanna Rollo, Clerk

BUILDING COVID-19 PROTOCOL

The Strafford County Courthouse building will be open to the public.

For the purposes of preventing the spread of COVID-19, all persons entering the building should:

Self-screen for COVID-19 signs and symptoms. If anyone reports symptoms they should not enter the building.

Business should be conducted in a remote manner, if/when possible.

Anyone reporting household contact to someone with COVID-19 (in the past 14 days) should not enter the building.

Business should be conducted in a remote manner, if/when possible.

In accordance with the New Hampshire Judicial Branch (NHJB), unvaccinated people should continue to wear a face covering although they are not required to. Applicable to all areas of the Strafford County Courthouse.

Face coverings should be encouraged, NOT enforced.

Vaccination status is an honor system.

DO NOT ask others about vaccination status;

Face coverings offered to everyone;

It is the choice of the individual to wear a face covering.

Operations such as Probation/Parole, Community Corrections, etc. will operate under their own authority regarding inquiry of vaccination status.

Electronic/Remote means to conduct business are still encouraged; however, business may be conducted in person.

Social Distancing and Hand Hygiene are encouraged but not enforced.

For specific information related to Court Operations such as: media coverage, jury trial protocols, electronic services, etc.

For more information regarding COVID-19:

Riverside Rest Home specific updates: please see Covid-19 Information and Updates – Riverside Rest Home

NH DHHS COVID-19 information: Welcome | NH COVID-19 Response
CDC COVID-19 information: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC
NHJB COVID-19 information: New Hampshire Judicial Branch - COVID-19 Update and Resources page (state.nh.us)

Raymond F. Bower

Raymond F. Bower
County Administrator

Details: Hits: 7808

STRAFFORD COUNTY RESOURCE AGENCIES

Strafford County funds, either monetarily, or through in-kind services, or both, the following agencies that operate outside of County responsibility and fall within the resource area. These agencies include:

COCHECO VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY
262 County Farm Road
Dover, NH 03820
603-749-5322

Cocheco Valley Humane Society (CVHS) utilizes funding from Strafford County to defray the costs of caring for stray animals not paid for by the cities and towns. This Agency also receives in-kind rental space from the County.

STRAFFORD COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT
264 County Farm Road
Dover, NH 03820
603-749-3037

The Strafford County Conservation District is organized and operated under R.S.A. 432. The mission of the Conservation District is the conservation and development of soil, water, and related natural resources, the prevention of soil erosion, plus the prevention of floodwater damages. The Conservation District facilitates the joint efforts of landowners, land occupiers, and units of governments in carrying out measures for the conservation and environmentally sound development of lands within Strafford County. The goal of the Conservation District is to ensure the use of every acre of land within Strafford County consistent with its inherent capabilities; and the treatment of every acre in accordance with its needs for protection, both present and in the future. This office receives in-kind rental space from Strafford County.

STRAFFORD COUNTY UNH COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
268 County Farm Rd
Dover, NH 03820
603-749-4445

The Strafford County/UNH Cooperative Extension's mission is to interpret and distribute University based research information and knowledge in a practical way. Programs are offered in the subject matter areas of Agriculture, Family, Community, Forest Management, Sea Grant, Nutrition, and Youth Development. It is Extension's intention to meet the needs of the people of Strafford County by teaching them to help themselves. Educational services are available to all County residents. Informational meetings are publicized through radio, television, and newspapers, including our own newspaper, THE EXTENSION. EFNEP, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, is specifically targeted toward limited income families. All other programs are open to everyone, without regard to income, sex, race, color, national origin, religion, or handicap. This Agency receives in-kind rental space from Strafford County.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW HAMPSHIRE SERVICES COPORATION
272 County Farm Road
Dover, NH 03820
603-749-3981

Strafford County contracts with Southeastern New Hampshire Services Corporation to provide drug and alcohol counseling to Strafford County residents.

STRAFFORD NUTRITION PROGRAM
Meals on Wheels
Nine Bartlett Avenue, PO Box 31
Somersworth, NH 03878
603-692-4211

Strafford Nutrition Program (Meals on Wheels) assists clients in maintaining maximum independence and quality of life at home so that long-term care placement becomes a last resort. A properly balanced diet and health check are provided five days a week. The properly balanced diet helps to maintain health and slow down the advancement of many chronic diseases that effect the elderly and disabled. Meal site participants receive a nutritious meal and experience the many activities and social events that these locations have to offer. The goals for the program are to continue to reach out to more senior citizens in the thirteen communities of Strafford County who are in need of a hot nutritious meal.

HOMEMAKERS HEALTH SERVICES

215 Rochester Hill Road
Rochester, New Hampshire 03867
603-335-1770

Strafford County contracts with Homemakers Health Services to provide homemaker services to elderly/incapacitated and disabled individuals who require assistance with the management of household tasks in the southern part of the County not covered by Your VNA to ensure that all County residents receive the care and services they require.

Strafford County News

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We’re so close to covering Marigold’s emergency surgery.
Please help us reach
our goal
Donate to Marigold's
Surgery & Recovery

Please help us reach our goal
Donate to Marigold's Surgery & Recovery
Please help us reach our goal as we continue to work at full capacity and navigate these challenging times.
Every bit helps!
Thank you so much to everyone
that has already donated!

MORE

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Help Huskies !

About this campaign
Pope Memorial Humane Society-Cocheco Valley recently took in not 1..not 2...not 3...but 4 huskies! One of which was pregnant, and just gave birth to 6 adorable pups! This puts us at a grand total of 10 huskies at the shelter !
Help us support these sweet pups and their road to recovery and a happy ending!

Donate

Slide 1

Electricity providers phone numbers

Tips and information for safe generator operation

Slide 2

Pope Memorial Humane Society

Every pet deserves a great home

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Catherine A. Berube, Strafford County Register of Deeds,
urges Strafford County Property
Owners to take advantage of a free service offered by the Strafford Registry of Deeds Office. Strafford County residents and/ or those who own property in Strafford County may sign up on the Strafford County Registry of Deeds website to receive a property fraud alert. Property Fraud Alert is an automated database that monitors activity involving land records filed in the Strafford County Registry of Deeds.

County residents and/or property owners may call 1-800-728-3858 or sign up on the Strafford County Registry of Deeds website: www.nhdeeds.org (Click Strafford County and then click the Property Fraud Alert tab on the Web page and follow instructions)

Please call Register Berube directly with any questions at
516-7150.

Learn More

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