The Budget Committee discussed Article 22, which was passed by the voters on 3/12/2024 at the 3/21/2024 Budget Committee meeting. Article 22 passed with a vote of 2259 for and 1621 against the article.
ARTICLE NO. 22: [AMEND LONDONDERRY MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE V – ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CHAPTER III]
Shall the Town vote to amend the Londonderry Municipal Code Title V – Administrative Code
CHAPTER III – BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS Section I General Authority
Section I. B. to remove the word “Advisory” from “Budget Committee” in accordance with
RSA40:14-b that states the “Budget Committee” shall create the default budgets. (BY
CITIZENS’ PETITION)
The committee consensus appears to be not in favor of the article. Chairman Patrick Cassidy surmised that the genesis for the article was from last year when the Budget Committee appeared to ‘have no teeth’ the committee had put forward 18 recommendations to cut the budget, all 18 were disregarded by the Town Council. The Chair questioned if this article was the ‘right move’ and questioned if this is the way we should be going. The Chair felt that the committee was more involved in the budget process this year. Committee member Joseph Gagnon said the committee was ‘listened to this year’ and their recommendation seriously. The committee expressed concerns in the amount of time that would be required to prepare a default budget. Committee member Sarah Meier expressed concern that the Library did not follow recommendations of the budget committee and this article could give the budget committee additional leverage. Concerns of confusing voters were also addressed. Joseph Gagnon felt that if in the future the School Board or Town Council were not listening to the recommendation that committee could push for a charter change. Patrick Cassidy will contact the Town Manager to see what the passage of the article means, his opinion was the article is advisory only, but would warrant a future discussion. Committee member Kate Burbidge said she is not interested in changing the Charter, but suggested that if the Charter were changed that the Budget Committee should become a paid position. Committee member Jason Goldman did not feel the article was necessary because changes could be made at the Deliberative session and would create a new committee in addition to the budget committee.
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