Rugg family, Exeter settle land dispute, clearing way for major housing project

By: Brandon Ng

Outlets: Portsmouth Herald

Published: March 19, 2026

Words: 913

Last Updated: 1 day, 20 hours ago

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EXETER — The Rugg family and the town have settled their long‑running land dispute, clearing the way for a developer to proceed with a significant housing development to be built on the Exeter-Newfields town line.

The lawsuit, filed by Derek Rugg in October 2024, alleged the town had taken a portion of the family’s property in what he called a “land heist.” Exeter countersued, saying the town in fact owned …

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