A contentious online debate between former Town Councilor John Farrell and resident Glenn Douglas regarding unbudgeted municipal spending in Londonderry. Farrell alleges that the Town Manager authorized over one million dollars for software, wages, and legal fees without proper oversight, warning that these costs will lead to drastic tax increases. In response, Douglas challenges the accuracy of Farrell’s data, specifically disputing claims about tax rate rankings and accusing him of spreading misleading information to discredit local officials. The exchange reveals deep political fractures and a significant lack of trust concerning fiscal transparency and administrative authority within the local government. Ultimately, the sources highlight a struggle over financial accountability and the verification of facts presented to the public.
Former Town Councilor John Farrell is now sharing posts from the Londonderry Town Blundeground. The latest Blunderground post seems to have strayed away from ‘Satire/Parody and is claiming a power grab by the Town Manager.
Farrell had this to add to the Blunderground post:
The Town is spending 10’s of thousands of dollars on legal fees. Policy after Policy. Why? Londonderry recently had and I stress had one of the best tax rates in the state. Lebanon is the second highest rate in the state they are now in fiscal crisis. The Town needs to stick to the core mission. Serve and protect the residents, provide great services, protect the Children our greatest treasure, Plow and maintain the roads , remove the trash & recycling. All of this other noise has cost over 1 million unbudgeted software (500-650K),wage increases( 200-300K) and legal fees( 200-300K) with no oversight or approval of the Town Council. This is unprecedented you all need to hold the elected officials and Town Manager accountable. The alternative is do nothing and become among the highest tax rates/ taxpayers in the state. The Satire, laughing is fun, but no one will be laughing when they receive the December Tax bill. Because all of the unbudgeted spending was rolled in the default budget and is now forever. Please engage and pay attention its your money.
Unfortunately Farrell does not seem to have many of his fact correct. Questions were asked but Mr Farrell simply does not respond to a number of question. He prefers others to do the research to prove his conclusion. Below is the exchange of comments:
Glenn Douglas
5/4/2026 contentious Town Council discussion regarding Chairman Dunn’s decision to no move forward with a proposal to regulate how officials access legal services. Councilor Paul and Bouchard express frustration over rising legal costs and the decision to table a policy intended to limit unauthorized spending. The town manager explains that the measure was designed to stop individual counselors from unilaterally incurring expenses that burden the taxpayer. While some officials argue that these actions violate the town charter, Councilor Faber refuses to revisit the issue, leading to a breakdown in cooperation. Ultimately, there is a significant conflict over financial accountability and the proper adherence to procedural rules within the council.
John Farrell – Londonderry First:
Glenn you have all ready 91a the Legal bills you have most of the data. If you so convinced 91A the additional bills and share the full picture. Regardless of who is responsible it’s the taxpayers money being spent. I guess/assume you are are okay with over one million unbudgeted dollars being spent without voter or Town Council approval.
John Farrell – Londonderry First:
Glenn Douglas You are missing several months do you homework Glenn,I did mine. Only the facts please stop trying to spin the narrative and discredit others. Sad Sad just keep supporting those who offer no oversight and no accounability.
Glenn Douglas
John Farrell – Londonderry First: funny a person that has harassed residents for filing 91A requests is now encouraging 91A requests because they REFUSE to answer simple questions, claiming they already have the information.
I’m not spinning anything. You are the one publishing false and misleading information to discredit the Town Manager. A Town Manager that you participated in the hiring process.
As for your statement that Lebanon has the second highest municipal tax rate. Here are the stats from the NH Department of Revenue for 2025. The top 20 municipalities highest to lowest:
Martin’s Location (U)
Berlin
Keene
Claremont
Wentworth
Pinkham’s Grant (U)
Concord
Penacook
Manchester
Northumberland
Plymouth
Peterborough
Franklin
Mason
Gorham
Hancock
Troy
Hinsdale
Canaan
Wilton
Here are the stats for total tax rate highest to lowest:
Charlestown
Keene
Berlin
Marlborough
Canaan
Hinsdale
Penacook
Claremont
Concord
Wentworth
Langdon
Lyme
Stratford
Lee
Northumberland
Landaff
Hancock
Wilton
Milford
John Farrell – Londonderry First:
Glenn Douglas Keep using Chat GPT the facts remain the facts. The truth remains the truth the monies were spent without the knowledge of the voters and the Town Council period. I do my research the old fashion way. People discredit themselves they don’t need my help.
Glenn Douglas:
March 16, 2026 Londonderry Town Council Meeting. A contentious debate between a Town Manager and members of a Town Council regarding allegations of fiscal mismanagement and dishonesty by Town Councilor Faber’s social media post. The Town Manager utilizes public records to rebut claims that he unilaterally increased salaries by 25% and concealed an expensive software contract. Conversely, Councilor Faber maintains that the manager bypassed public transparency by signing a long-term agreement before it was properly vetted or authorized by the board. The exchange highlights a deeply fractured relationship within the local government characterized by accusations of “political stunts” and “toxic” behavior. Ultimately, the source illustrates a significant dispute over administrative authority and the accuracy of information provided to taxpayers during the budget process.
Glenn Douglas: ” Lebanon is the second highest rate in the state they are now in fiscal crisis.” Where did you get your data? AI has a very different list:
New Hampshire towns ranked by property tax rate (2026)
Highest tax-rate towns (top of the list)
From most recent verified data:
Charlestown — ~$36.54 per $1,000
Keene — ~$34.37
Berlin — ~$33.60
Canaan — ~$31.36
Marlborough — ~$31.24
These are currently the highest tax-rate municipalities in NH.
Other consistently high-tax towns (just below top tier)
Based on broader datasets and recurring appearances in rankings:
Claremont
Lisbon
Northumberland
Jaffrey
Plymouth These towns are typically in the low–mid $30 per $1,000 range.
Middle-range examples (for context)
Typical NH towns fall roughly between $15–$25 per $1,000, for example:
Amherst — ~$23.98
Allenstown — ~$24.88
Alexandria — ~$19.87
Lowest tax-rate towns (bottom of the list)
These are the lowest in NH:
Moultonborough — ~$5.33
New Castle — ~$5.73
Bartlett — ~$6.02
Bridgewater — ~$6.35
Tuftonboro — ~$6.40 These are 6–7× lower tax rates than the highest towns.
John Farrell – Londonderry First:
Glenn we are talking town side tax rate only. Watch the meeting in Lebanon the fiscal position on the city has been discussed for the past fews years. One meeting had 180 people in attendance for one meeting. You will not find me addressing anything from the the schools etc.
Glenn Douglas:
John Farrell – Londonderry First:please provide a link to the meeting or meetings you are referring to.
John Farrell – Londonderry First:
Glenn Douglas Thanks for making my point No Transparency. Obliviously, you align with your friend herself. Facts are facts the truth is the truth. Enough said All the best and good luck
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