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Somersworth City Council Votes to Reinstall Ten Commandments Monument

Ragnar Santorum

Officials in the New Hampshire city of Somersworth have voted to reinstall the municipality's controversial Ten Commandments monument to its original location next to City Hall.

Foster's Daily Democrat reports the City Council approved the measure Tuesday.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles gifted the granite Ten Commandments tablet to the city in 1958. It was toppled by an unidentified vandal in August following objections to its religious implications.

Mayor Dana Hilliard says he's been advised that the monument is compliant with the First Amendment and meets the constraints of church and state separation.

Councilor Nancie Cameron voted to restore the monument, but said a similar gift would likely be refused today.

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