Hooksett District Court was on the list of the governor’s budget cuts, but was removed from that list shortly after it was announced.

To cut costs, Gov. John Lynch proposed consolidating eight district courts and save nearly $2 million a year. Critics said the plan would drive up salary and fuel costs for police forced to travel farther to court. Allenstown Police Chief Shaun Mullholland was notified on Friday, Feb. 13, that the Hooksett District Court was an error.

“Hooksett District Court was taken off of the list because Concord District Court is too small and would not be able to handle merging with Hooksett District Court,” he said. “Hooksett District Court is one of the larger district courts in the state.”

Mulholland’s reaction to the news Hooksett District Court could be closed was swift. He wrote to Sen. Jack Barnes with the following words:

“The proposal to close the Hooksett District Court would place a hardship on the people of Hooksett, Allenstown and Pembroke. Our citizens would have to travel to Concord to receive court services.

“This also places additional cost burdens on the police departments of the three communities. This would increase our fuel costs as we would need to travel to Concord instead of Hooksett.

“This would also add to overtime costs. We would have to transport prisoners a greater distance as well.

“As you are all well aware all three communities are facing budget crises also. Adding additional costs to the towns and cities by the state only further aggravates the property tax issue.

“I hope you will consider the impact of closing the Hooksett District Court. If this is approved it will occur in July of 2009. Our budgets have already been submitted and cannot be changed at this time for the 2009 year. This would require additional cuts in already lean municipal budgets.”

Allenstown Selectman Tom Gilligan said Mulholland put it best, and all on the Allenstown Board of Selectmen felt the same way.

Hooksett Town Councilor David Ross was also dismayed at the possibility of losing the courthouse.

“Closing couthouses and jails when crime is statistically expected to increase is more foolishness on their part,” said Ross.