Chapter 51: Town Lines and Perambulation of Boundaries

The northerly and southerly lines of towns adjoining Connecticut river are continued and extended across the river to the westerly line of the state, and the west line of the state is the western boundary of such towns.

The lines between the towns in this state shall be perambulated, and the marks and bounds renewed, once in every 7 years forever, by the selectmen of the towns, or by such persons as they shall in writing appoint for that purpose.

If the selectmen of any town deem it necessary that the town lines be perambulated or any marks and bounds renewed at other times than at the regular perambulation provided for by RSA 51:2 they may give notice to the selectmen of the town adjoining and the procedure for said perambulation or renewing of bounds shall be the same as that provided in RSA 51:2, 4-7.

A return of the perambulation shall be made, particularly describing the courses and distances and the marks and monuments of such line, which shall be signed by the selectmen or persons making the same, recorded in the respective town books, and filed with the secretary of state.

The selectmen of the town first incorporated, or, if both were incorporated on the same day, of the town which is highest in the proportion of public taxes, shall give to the selectmen of the town adjoining notice of the time and place of meeting for such perambulation 10 days before the day of meeting.

If the selectmen whose duty it is to give such notice shall neglect to notify as aforesaid, or shall neglect to attend agreeably to such notice, or if the selectmen of any town, after being duly notified, shall neglect to attend, or if any selectman shall neglect to cause a return of such perambulation to be made and recorded as aforesaid, each selectman so neglecting shall be guilty of a violation. Any fines collected shall be distributed with 1/2 for the use of the town whose selectmen have done their duty, and the other half to the use of the county.

I. When the selectmen of adjoining towns shall disagree in renewing and establishing the lines and bounds of such towns, the superior court for the county in which the town first incorporated or paying the highest tax as aforesaid is situate, upon petition and after notice to the other towns interested, shall, either examine said disputed lines or appoint a committee for that purpose, and the court's decision thereon shall be final; and the court may order either or both towns to pay the costs, as deemed just.

II. For a dispute as to the actual location of a town line arising in a matter on appeal before the board of tax and land appeals pursuant to RSA 76:16-a, the board of tax and land appeals shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the superior court and shall have the authority granted the superior court in paragraph I.

When the place next to any town has no organization and is on the line of adjoining counties, the county commissioners of the county in which the place is situated shall be empowered to act in the perambulation of the line between the county and town, and shall be notified and proceed in the same manner and subject to the same liabilities as the selectmen of towns.

No portion of the territory of any town or city shall be united with another town or city unless the legislative enactment providing for such union shall be ratified by 2/3 of the voters of each town or city affected, present and voting by ballot at the regular annual or biennial meeting for the election of town or city officers held next after the passage of such act.