Town gov't changes given thought in Meredith

Discussion took place during a review of town goals and objectives by the new board during Monday's workshop meeting.

Selectman Colette Worsman noted the over 55 percent support of the Official Ballot Act, which is commonly known as SB2 and would replace the traditional town meeting with a deliberative session and ballot voting on warrant articles, during last Tuesday's town vote.

"More than 50 percent of our community wants an opportunity to vote on the ballot," Worsman said, saying the town might "add (a) goal to research and find other alternatives to town meeting."

Alternatives such as establishing a charter commission were also discussed during SB2 hearings. Selectman Bob Flanders agreed with Worsman, saying the charter government might be examined by a research committee.

Town Manager Carol Granfield said a committee could not be formed unless it was a charter commission with members elected by a special election as required by law. Granfield said putting together a charter would be a two-year process requiring a special election of commission members to explore options that would be voted on at the following town meeting.

Selectman Miller Lovett also suggested examining the legal aspects of a charter and "talk to other communities as a basis for a charter commission."

"Clearly we have to recognize there is some interest and there may be some reason to do that," said board Chair Peter Brothers, who said he has been approached by residents who have volunteered to examine options. "I'm not saying we should take any direction" but possibly to "identify clearly what the points are."

Worsman suggested that, with a general election occurring in November, the town could "dovetail into that" with elections for a charter commission.

"That would tighten the schedule a year and it would give us a lot of time between now and an election," she said.

Brothers said he knew several people who could possibly provide information and options on a possible charter.