There are 21 candidates for Charter Commission. Clearly one of the most contested elections I can recall since moving to Londonderry in 1996. With 9 open seats and 21 candidates the next few weeks should be full of discussion.
I’m running for one of those open seats and asking for your support on March 9th.
Here is a little bit about the Charter Commission and some of why I’m running. I think the Charter Commission is important and would like to see the discussion on the subject begin sooner than later.
What’s the Charter Commission all about?
First off, there will be no Commission unless the voters approve Article 2 on March 9th.
ARTICLE NO. 2 [CHARTER COMMISSION] Shall a charter commission be established for the sole purpose of establishing official ballot voting under Londonderry’s current Town Council-Budgetary Town Meeting form of government?
Should Article 2 pass, 9 of the 21 candidates will be seated on the Commission and then the work begins. There are many who believe that a vote for Article 2 is a vote to end the Saturday Town Meeting, this is not the case. A vote in favor of the article is a vote to consider the question, a vote to study our current form of government, and to determine IF a change is needed. The commission will have a year to complete its task and the voters will again vote, for or against, the Commissions’ recommendation. The final decision will be made by the people of Londonderry, not 9 commissioners.
A little background on the Town Meeting and Official Ballot Voting.
Town Meeting has been around for hundreds of years in New Hampshire, but Londonderry does not have a traditional Town Meeting. In 1996 Londonderry elected another Charter Commission who studied a similar question and recommended a changed. The traditional Town Meeting was changed to a Town Council / Budgetary Town Meeting form of government. At a Traditional Town Meeting all decisions and votes are done on the same day. Town Meetings of the past could run all day, many times into the wee hours of the morning. Town Meeting was the place to elect, debate, make zoning changes, and discuss the issues facing the Town. In 1996 that was changed. The Selectmen were replaced by the Town Council and all elected officers, warrant articles over 1 million dollars, were removed from Town Meeting and voted on Tuesday by ballot. In addition zoning changes were no longer voted on by the Town, but decided by the Town Council. So the government of Londonderry is not as old as some may think, it’s similar but different, and it was the towns’ people who decided.
So what is Official Ballot Voting?
Official ballot voting is commonly known as SB2. SB2 requires all voting to take place on a single day. Voting generally takes place from 7AM to 8PM and residents can vote as their schedule dictates. SB2 does not require a the assembly of Town meeting where voting must be done in a group setting. The Londonderry School District currently is governed under the SB2 system. In addition to voting on Tuesday there is also a session held prior to the vote called the Deliberative Session. This session is very similar to Town Meeting, where a group of residents can debate and amend the budget and other warrant articles. The Deliberative is a time to ask questions and voice your opinion, in an attempt to sway other residents to vote with you either up or down on the issue. The final decisions of the Deliberative are then voted on by the Town by ballot on Tuesday.
Is SB2 Good or Bad for the Town?
That is where the bulk of the work of the Commission lies. Studying the question and coming up with a recommendation. There are very strong feelings on both sides. Some are in favor of a modified Town Meeting and some in favor of SB2. The recommendation can be for a change or no change at all.
For more from Glenn Douglas on his position including his opinions on the Commission read the rest of the story.
My Opinions on the Commission.
The question of Town Meeting verses SB2 has been asked in Londonderry every year for as long as I can remember during election season. Each year the question is discussed and debated, with no decisions made. This year is different. The question is on the table and will be voted on, up or down, by the Town. Residents will vote in March for or against forming a Charter Commission. If the Commission is approved residents will vote again next year, for or against, the commission’s final recommendation.
The Charter Commission should be inclusive of the people in Town. These meetings are very important; they can change the form of government in Londonderry. It would be great to see a packed meeting room every time the Commission meets. Input from the public should be requested and taken. One of the common complaints regarding SB2 is that 500 people are required to change anything. Some have stated that requiring 500 people to attend has even “killed democracy”. An important note here is that SB2 does not set the required attendance at a Deliberative Session, that number is set by the Town or School District. The Charter Commission will be responsible to study how many voters will be required, a number that works for Londonderry. The number could be 500, or more, or it could be 0. The final recommendation of the Commission should reflect the input of the voters, regardless of a commissioner’s individual opinion.
I’ve written and commented on SB2 and Town meeting many times over the last four years on my website. Which is better for Londonderry? I’m still not sure. Both have a number of pros and cons. I’ve also listened to voters comments at Town Meeting and other meetings in town. I think it’s time the question is asked, reviewed, and studied. In the end it’s not my decision, I can ask questions, and state an opinion or two, but the voters will make the final decision.
Unlike some candidates who have already come to a conclusion, I would like the residents of the town to review our government, ask questions, and give feedback to the Commission. The final decision, should not be that of 9 Commissioners, but the residents.
I ask for your vote for Charter Commission and your support of Article 2 on March 9th.
Thank you for your time; hope to see you all at the polls.
Regards,
Glenn Douglas
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Vote No on Article 2
Article 2, the proposed town charter revision, is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Article 2 is a cynical attempt by a fearful and deaf town council and their supporters to change the form of town government and the rights of citizens to positively impact the budgetary process.
If article 2 is passed and the Charter Commission agrees the town government will abolish the town meeting and convert the town process to SB2, the same as the school district.
The impact of this drastic proposal to change our government will further remove citizens and tax payers from the budgetary process. In Londonderry town meeting any and all citizens are given the right and choice to address their fellow citizens and tax payers. To propose changes, to debate those proposals and finally to vote for those proposals.
One need only look to the school budgetary process. In a year where unemployment continues to rise, foreclosures continue to remove families from their homes, school enrollment continues to decrease, and our ability to pay has fallen we are presented with a budget plan that minimally will increase spending 6%. All do respect to the budget crafters on the school district side but this is the result when the voice of the people is removed from the process. Regardless of the exact SB2 rules in place the end result is a clear and definite lack of citizen input. There is no check and balance and the result is ever increasing budgets despite the realities of the economy and decreasing enrollments.
This is not the kind of change we need on the town side.
Resist this cynical attempt to further reduce your rights and reject Article 2. And as you reject article 2 ensure vote for Charter Commission members that pledge to ensure your voice continues to be heard and to ensure a fair and open budgetary process that protects the Londonderry advantage.
I am running for Charter Commission. Please reject Article 2 and vote for me to protect your voice in town government and to maintain the peoples check and balance on uncontrolled spending.
Jim, everyone is certainly welcome to their opinions. I do have one question. The subject of SB2 / Town Meeting comes up every year. There has been at least one attempt in the past to move from Town Meeting to SB2, but the petition was rejected. Here is what I do not understand.
Those that oppose SB2 usually point to the School District as a negative for the reasons you state above.
I’m not saying I agree with SB2 on the School side, but
My question is: Why in the 16 years that the School District has beengoverned under SB2 has no one ever attempted to recind it?
Glenn – quite honestly and I was VERY suprised when two people e-mailed me to give their opinion of exactly why they believe the school side budget process is broken.
First I do not for a moment believe this at all, but what was stated to me by two seperate individuals is that they somehow are afraid of speaking about the school budget. They had concerns that somehow this might not be viewed favorably and it would impact decisions about their kids in the school. As one person told me it would not pay to rock the boat.
I do not believe this happens but can understand the impression they have.
Jim, SB2 or Town Meeting I think participation by residents in the budget process needs to happen as the budget is being formed. In both cases this is long before Town Meeting or the Deliberative session.
It’s taken 16 years to ask the question if the Deliberative Session quorum should be lowered from 500 to 350. That decision was also opposed by 2 of 5 School Board members.
The question still remains, if SB2 is driving taxes sky high, taking away citizen participation, and by some accounts been a total disaster…Why has no one tried to go back to the old system?
This is not true, in about 2003 a reduction in the quorum was proposed. It was debated at the Deliberative Session by the School Board. (since a quorum was not present only the board could vote) It voted 2-3 to support the change. It failed. I watched this across the table my last year on the budget committee. Ron and I have talked about bringing it up (in public) for the past two years.
My opinion, because 99% of the parents are happy with what the school provides. 23% of the people that live in town are students, with a high percentage of our community two parent families you have 8,000 to 9,000 voting age adults with children. They like the results the school district provides. You also have older people without children that know the value of educating our youth.
Yes, I am presently the Chairman of the school board, if you disagree or would like to review my theory, my home phone number is on the web at http://www.Londonderry.org, along with an email contact. Or you can find me in the local stores, around town and today out at the Musquash. Out for some real reality away from the computer!
Jim,
Well said. There is a reason why the town budget has to hold the line a little tighter it is Town Meeting. No one want to admit that though. We never should have gone to a somewhat SB2 forum on the school side.
Kathy, I hate to be bottom line. But so that people clearly understand, this is not some big expirement in democracy as Glenn and others will have us believe.
A yes vote on Article #2 – WILL RAISE YOUR TAXES.
Jim,
Bottom Line everything is going to add to our taxes until we start generating revenue. I do agree that at our last town meeting you had a better chance at lowering taxes. My concern is 3 fellow councilors decided to move this to the ballot. Not The People. I rest my case in why I worry for the future if we adopt SB2
Vote NO on Establishing a Charter Commission
“Not the People” ?
There was a citizens petition in 2004 signed by 535 voters asking for a Charter Commission on SB2. The petition was dismissed by the Town Council because it missed the 60 day deadline.
http://www.londonderrynh.org/011204.pdf
Three Councilors may have put it on this years warrant but there is history showing there was interest in SB2.
Is there a summary somewhere that lists which towns in New Hamspshire still have town meetings, and which have moved to SB2? For those that have adopted SB2, is there anything to learn from the experiences of those towns?
I believe that Pelham has adopted and seeing about going back to Town Meeting. I also think Windham is SB2
Pelham is SB2 and is considering a change. I had heard they were discussiong a Charter Commision and attended the January 12th meeting of the Selectmen. I was curious what the rationale was for a change. The Selectmen briefly discussed the topic. One selectman listed the reasons he was opposed to SB2. The Board postponed a vote on the matter until January 19th, due to the board being short one member.
According to the minutes of the January 19th meeting Pelham is not only reviewing SB2, but a complete review of thier current Charter:
January 19th Meeting minutes:
Mr. McDevitt informed that the wording for the warrant article was specified by state law. He read the warrant article aloud, as contained in the document: Revision 1/19/2010 4:44:59 PM. The warrant article would allow the Town to begin to form a commission.
The verbiage of the warrant article was reviewed. Mr. Gaydos read aloud RSA 49,B which outlined the wording to be used. It was suggested to follow up with counsel to get an opinion whether the language could be modified slightly. The wording for counsel to review is as follow: Shall a charter commission be established for the purpose of studying the possibility of revising the municipal charter or establishing a new municipal charter? (Recommended by Selectmen) (Majority Vote Required)
MOTION: (McDevitt/Lynde) To modify the verbiage of the warrant article for review by Town Counsel.
VOTE: (5-0-0) The motion carried.
“I believe that Pelham has adopted and seeing about going back to Town Meeting.”
Pelham’s vote on their Charter Commission 1899 Yes/2587 No. Pelham will remain an SB2 Town, at least for now.
Windham started SB2 in 2000. Pelham in 1999.
BTW, Windham had 50 people show up at their deliberative session in 2008 and Pelham had 86 in 2008. (Latest data published). Of those, I bet 75% were pols or town employees. 2 more examples where people disengage after SB2 becomes the form of government.
Another sad data point is that of 20,654 registered voters in Salem, only 60 showed up for their deliberative session (in 2008).
More data:
By 2008, 65 NH towns had adopted SB2. Another 66 attempts to invoke SB2 were unsuccessful. Of the 65 that voted it in, there have been 37 attempts to revoke it with only 3 being successful (Dorchester, Enfield, Orange).
“2 more examples where people disengage after SB2 becomes the form of government.”
And Londonderry Town Meeting USED to attract 1700-3000 people, depending on whos statistics you go by. Now attendance is only 250-300.
There are a number of different reasons for voter disengagement, SB2 is not the only erason people stay away.
And in my day we had to walk 3 miles back and forth up hill both ways to school
A Resident – You can find some information on which towns / cities have No Meeting, SB2 or Town Meeting forms of government on the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies website.
http://www.nhpolicy.org/topic.php?sub=30
Lara,
Thanks
This Link was also forward to me for more information on SB2.
http://www.jacqcad.com/Mason_NH/SB2_Towns_Summary.pdf
The Town Council and Town Manager discussed the Charter Commisions task, guidlines, and schedule at Monday Town Council Meeting. Here is a link to the information: (no links) Click for more
At yesterdays Candidates Forum held at Town hall there was some discussion / confusion on what the Charter Commission can and cannot do. Some people are of the opinion that once a Charter Commission is formed all areas of the Town Charter and government are up for change.
My opinion is the question is very specific stating “the sole purpose of establishing official ballot voting” seems pretty striaght forward to me.
In addition stae law also governs the actions of the Charter Commision in this case stating “No other issues shall be addressed by a charter commission established under this paragraph.”
New Hampshire State Law NH RSA 49-B: 3 VI
VI. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for the purposes of establishing a charter commission to amend or adopt a charter relative to official ballot town council under RSA 49-D:3, I-a, official ballot town meeting under RSA 49-D:3, II-a, budgetary official ballot village district meeting under RSA 52:2-a, or budgetary official ballot school district meeting under RSA 197:5-b only, the question of whether to establish a charter commission and the election of charter commission members shall be placed on the same ballot. No other issues shall be addressed by a charter commission established under this paragraph. The question on the establishment of a charter commission to be submitted to the voters shall be in substance as follows:
“Shall a charter commission be established for the sole purpose of establishing official ballot voting under the current form of government?”
“Folks around Londonderry are hearing a lot of information regarding SB2, some of it fact based and some of it not. This site presents the pro side of the argument and while we readily admit we are biased towards SB2 we will not bend or distort the truth to support our position.”
Read more at http://www.londonderry4sb2.com
Thanks to those that supported me at the polls today, fell short in the vote, but still a great day – great voter turnout. Congratulations to the nine new Charter Commissioners.
Chris M, I may have to ask for a recount
The Charter Commission will meet on tonight Monday, March 29, 2010 at 7:00 PM in the Moose Hill Council Chambers, Town Hall, 268B Mammoth Road, Londonderry.