N.H. Rev. Stat. § 482:69
After said notice, a public hearing shall be held and the department shall find, upon evidence furnished by its employees or others at the hearing, what property and rights are reasonably required by the municipality for the acquisition of the dam, other real estate, franchises, easements and other property necessary or desirable to enable the municipality to construct, maintain, repair, own and operate the dam so it may not be or become a dam in disrepair, and if the department shall find that payment for said property and rights will not cause the debt of said municipality as authorized by law to be exceeded, it shall determine the compensation to be paid for said property and rights, and render judgment accordingly.
RSA 482:69
1989, 339:1. 1996, 228:106, eff. July 1, 1996.