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Strafford County Current Bids

The Official website of Strafford County New Hampshire

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On Wednesday January 8th 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, 2nd 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

 Joe Pitre

Joe PitreVice Chairman

Sean Leavitt

 Sean Leavitt, Clerk

Seal StraffordSupervision Fee Payment Options
For Select Community Corrections Programs
 
 
(Please consult with your Case Manager to see if any of these options apply to your current program)
 
 
 
 
Monetary Option
 
You have the option of paying your supervision fees with either cash or using a money order made payable to:  Strafford County.  The office will not have change in the office, so exact cash payments are required.  Under no circumstances will personal checks be accepted.
 
Job Search Option
 
If you are looking for a job, or currently have a job and would like to look for some other form of work, you may fill out a Job Search Sheet.  For every completed sheet (10 job applications) you will be given $80 credit towards your supervision fee balance.  This form is available in the lobby waiting area, and with your case manager.
 
Community Work Program Option
 
You have the option to work off your fees by doing community service with the Community Work Program.  For each day worked, you will receive $80 credit towards your supervision fees.
 
Outside Community Service Option
 
If you are unable to do the Work Program, you have the option of finding your own community service with any non-profit agency.  You must obtain the information about the agency and get approval from your Case Manager before starting to work for them in order to get credit.  If prior approval is not obtained, there will be no guarantee that you will be given credit to your fees.  You will be given a $10 credit for every hour worked.  You must complete an Outside Community Service sheet and have it signed by the Supervisor of the non-profit agency, and your Community Corrections Case Manager before you will be given credit.  These forms are available in the lobby waiting room and with your Case Manager.
Donation Option (limited time)
 
The Community Corrections Office works with local agencies to provide donations for those families in need.  During designated times of the year, you can donate non-perishable food items which are donated to the local food pantry, or pet food and supplies are donated to the local animal shelter, and/or you can donate toys for the Toys For Tots organization.
 
For unexpired non-perishable food donations, you will be given a credit towards your supervision fees for every item.  The amount is determined by either a receipt provided by you, or by the size and amount of the items.
 
For toy donations, the toy must be a new unused unwrapped toy.  In order to get credit towards your balance, you must provide a receipt of some form listing the value of the item.
 
Used Toy Donations
 
If you have used toys in good/clean condition, and can find a non-profit agency who will accept the toys, you will be given credit towards your fees.  The requirement for credit towards fees is to provide a letter from the agency that accepted the toys listing the amount/value donated.  That amount will in turn be credited to your balance.
 
If you have any questions regarding any of the above listed options, please contact your Case Manager for further information.