Londonderry News

A review of what rules will be followed in the Londonderry School District Deliberative Session. This will be the second session that has no quorum since the New Hampshire Superior Court ruled against the practice.  The first one was held this fall in a special session to approve unexpected funding from the State.

A quorum had been in place for just over a decade and supported by voters three times when voted on.  Council Chairman Sean O’keefe, Representative Al Baldasaro and former Town Councilor Brian Farmer brought the suit.  The school district declined to challenge the ruling in Supreme Court.

When?

• Friday February 10th at 7pm

Where?

• LHS Cafe

Town Moderator John Michels indicates how he will run the meeting, he also provides details on what can and cannot be done.

Some information you will get from the video

• Amendments will be taken up one at a time on each article
• If Union Contracts are amended “it constitutes rejection” even so they go to the ballot to be voted on March 13th.
• Secret ballot, 5 signatures must be submitted to the moderator requesting a paper ballot.
• You can also do a secret ballot before the moderator moves on to the next question 7 people are required.
• It is a majority rule on amendments, “If three people show up 2-1 wins an amendment.
• The Operating Budget can be increased or decreased by those that attend.
• You will only get two numbers to vote on in the voting booth. Deliberative recommended budget or a default budget.
• If a line item is zeroed out, no funds can be expended on that line item.
• After a request by Board Member Steve Young for “training wheels” Michels responded, “We will have the training wheels on.”
• 8 Articles will be reviewed on Monday night and all will be moved to the ballot.
• Amendments are preferred in writing, be be sure that they are accurate.
• Items in Articles prescribed by law can not be amended.
• The meeting is not the School Boards meeting it is the legislative body of Londonderry’s meeting, run by the town moderator.

Deliberative meeting is important, voters need to be attending since anything can be amended.  Over 14,000 voters make up the legislative body of Londonderry, New Hampshire all are encouraged to attend.

The 2012 Deliberative Session of the Londonderry School District will be held on Friday, February 10, 2012 beginning at 7 PM at the Londonderry High School Cafeteria. All warrant articles shall be acted upon at that time for placement on the Town Meeting Official Ballot.