Municipalities often find themselves involved in litigation brought by a resident, dissatisfied by decisions taken by a municipal board. Our attorneys at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. have represented municipalities and landowners in both sides of these actions. As special counsel, we have represented Zoning Board of Appeals on issues involving land use restrictions, federal preemption and permitted uses involving Wetlands Overlay Districts. In our representation of landowners, we have appealed planning board and zoning board decisions on issues involving grandfathering, wetlands use restrictions, hardship and noise ordinances. Our practical aggressive representation, along with focus on our clients long terms goals, has brought us and our clients success.

Municipal law is diverse, and ever expanding. Our team has approached issues from both sides, and is prepared to assist you in achieving your goals in the most efficient, constructive manner.

• Is your collective bargaining at a standstill?
• Do you need assistance in negotiating fair and reasonable wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment?
• Does your municipality need assistance drafting zoning ordinances that allow proper and planned development?
• Has an American with Disabilities Act claim been filed against your municipality?
• Are your municipal departments and officers in need of quick and responsive legal opinions interpreting municipal bylaws and State statues?
• Are you attempting to obtain municipal approvals to open and operate your business, but your approvals are being delayed by wetlands protection, historic preservation or road access interfering with building your home?
• Has your municipality’s recent tax revaluation been challenged as unfair and disproportionate because the property values have increased dramatically for residential properties abutting lakes?

We believe that we can assist you because of our wide municipal experience that recently includes:

• Successfully represented municipal managers in collective bargaining negotiations with the municipal entity;
• Litigated the American with Disabilities Act on behalf of a small New Hampshire town before the New Hampshire Superior Court and New Hampshire Supreme Court;
• Worked with architects, engineers and municipalities to develop plans for health care facilities that satisfy our client’s business needs;
• Negotiated separate collective bargaining agreements as a member of the school board on behalf of a school board with teachers, support staff and custodial staff;
• Appealed and received abatement for tax assessments that unfairly, illegally, and disproportionately overtaxed our clients;
• Sought and obtained a Superior Court reversal of a local Zoning Board of Adjustment decision that would have required a significant industry in the municipality to terminate operations that had existed for over fifty years.