On July 13, 2023, the Town was notified that Budget Committee member Tim Siekmann had been arrested on a warrant charging him with 15 felony counts of possessing child sex abuse images. Mr. Siekmann is an elected member of the Budget Committee. Neither Londonderry’s Town Charter nor New Hampshire law allow the removal of an elected Budget Committee member under these circumstances.
On August 6, 2023, Budget Committee Chairman Patrick Cassidy received Siekmann’s resignation, and
transmitted it to the Town Manager and Town Council. The Town Council Chair immediately scheduled a
special meeting on the next business day to act upon Siekmann’s resignation. At that meeting, the Town
Council accepted Siekmann’s resignation effective immediately.
Following Siekmann’s arrest, the Town acted diligently to ascertain its options. While the Town acknowledges the desire for prompt and decisive action, the Town acted within the parameters of its legal authority to secure an appropriate result for the community. The Town Council intends to promptly fill the vacancy created by Siekmann’s resignation, and one other existing vacancy, and is pleased the Budget Committee can begin its work on the FY 2025 budget without distraction or delay.
The Town thanks Budget Committee Chairman Patrick Cassidy for his assistance with these efforts.