"Baldasaro had done his homework. In 1996, he said, there were 30 SB2 towns; by 2009, that number had grown to 65 towns."

Londonderry Charter Commission doesn't exactly draw a crowd

By Suzanne Laurent slaurent@derrynews.com
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LONDONDERRY The newly formed Charter Commission's first public hearing Monday was poorly attended, leading the nine members to question whether residents need more information about its mission.


Just 10 people showed up, including a Boy Scout, who was attending the meeting for a badge requirement.


Pauline Caron spoke first, saying someone from the panel should explain what would change in the way the town votes if it goes to an SB2 style of government, including how that would change the budgetary process.


Commission Chairman Brian Farmer said the Budget Committee would still be an advisory committee if the form of voting was changed to ballot-style. Just like on the school side, there would be a recommended budget and a default budget.


Farmer also said the panel could make a recommendation to the voters about having a quorum for the deliberative session. If the quorum is met, voters can argue and make changes during the session.


Resident Martin Sturgis said he's "been all over the map on this."


"I enjoy going to Town Meeting," he said. "But this year, only 318 people decided on budget items."


Sturgis said more people cast ballots. Commission member and state representative Al Baldasaro agreed. He noted absentee voters also would have their chance at the polls.


"I echo my support," resident John Curran said. "It's sort of bittersweet. I'm a history buff and would hate to see Town Meeting go by the wayside. I was at Town Meeting, though, and all contested issues went to secret ballot."


Jay Hooley and Tom Freda also spoke in favor of SB2.


"Looking at the votes, people want to preserve Town Meeting, but they don't want to go," Freda said.


Reed P. Clark III was the sole supporter of Town Meeting.


"I'm not in favor of going into a booth and spending five minutes making checkmarks when you may not have heard both sides of the issue," he said. "Secret ballots were after hearing both sides of the issue."


Caron asked the panel how many New Hampshire towns have adopted SB2 since it went into effect in 1996 and if those towns still have SB2.


Baldasaro had done his homework. In 1996, he said, there were 30 SB2 towns; by 2009, that number had grown to 65 towns. He said he would look into the second part of the question.

The group decided it would need to invite state, town and school officials to discuss budgetary aspects of changing the style of government in the hopes of getting more residents to attend future public hearings.


Three meetings were scheduled April 26, May 10 and May 24. Public comment will be heard while actual hearings will take place around the time of the first draft of the commission's recommendations is due Aug. 26.