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Council holds public hearings on three Nov. 4 ballot questions; social districts draw mixed reaction
Summary
The council heard presentations and public testimony on a social district ballot question and on Keno/games of chance. The Economic Development Commission recommended cautious study; public commenters raised youth safety and taxpayer‑cost concerns. No council vote on the ballot items occurred — public hearings were held as required by statute.
Portsmouth city staff and the Economic Development Commission (EDC) led public hearings Oct. 6 on three ballot questions slated for the Nov. 4 municipal election: (1) whether to allow social districts where people may consume alcohol outdoors, (2) whether to prohibit Keno, and (3) whether to prohibit games of chance (casino‑type table games).
Tom Watson, chair of the Economic Development Commission, summarized the EDC’s work on social districts, saying the commission polled local businesses, reached out to the New Hampshire Liquor Commission and county enforcement agencies, and found businesses were often unfamiliar with what a social district would look like…
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