Meredith Selectboard recommends public forum about town government structure

MEREDITH — Selectboard members will hold a public forum about the differences between a town manager and administrator, following a Town Meeting vote on an advisory article indicating residents' desire to make a change.

At least, those who remained to vote on the final warrant article of the 4.5-hour Town Meeting.

The petitioned article was introduced by Mike Faller, a retired public works director of 28 years. It passed 88-51. Due to a wording technicality, the article was advisory only.

Town Manager Judie Milner urged the selectboard and the public alike to “do their homework” during a selectboard meeting on Monday. She said she heard a number of “mistruths” at the meeting.

Milner brought this up in the context of selectboard business about the three advisory warrant articles approved at Town Meeting. She said this is something that should be taken into consideration, and “not lightly.”

“When I heard a few things at Town Meeting, it made me pause that we weren’t getting all our information before we make this kind of decision,” Milner said. “This is a big decision for a town. This is a big town, and going back to town administrator is big changes, especially for the board of selectmen.”

She suggested members of the public speak with department heads and other employees to gather information before making such an important decision, “based on feelings and not on fact.”

“I am happy to talk to anybody,” Milner said. “It is not self-serving to me. I want the community to have exactly what they want to have, but be educated in that decision.”

Faller’s petitioned article, No. 23, was signed by 31 people, prior to Town Meeting, he spoke about his decision to bring it forward, wrote a letter to the editor, and addressed the public to urge them to vote in favor of the change.

Faller did not refer to Milner by name at Town Meeting, but did talk about her and other past managers in an interview. He said the current structure takes away much of the power of the selectboard, and protects the town manager under state law. He thought his recommendations for his department, particularly ideas on the highway building, fell on deaf ears, and could have saved the town money.

He described the current town manager position as being like a CEO who can also only be terminated through statutory procedures. The town manager is also in charge of hiring.

The town administrator would be a position under the selectboard, who retain authority for hiring and firing town employees. The administrator would recommend or supervise them only. Budget preparation would be facilitated by the administrator, and spending authority would be delegated by the board.

Prior to Town Meeting, members of the selectboard voiced their disapproval of the warrant article.

On Monday, Selectboard member Jim Gregoire asked how to become informed about the advantages and disadvantages of the two forms of town government. Milner suggested going through the New Hampshire Municipal Association. She suggested a news flash to get information to the public, or from the selectboard, so it doesn’t look self-serving.

“I can certainly get that information for you, and we can talk about the pros and cons,” Milner said. “We can talk about some pros and cons. Jeanie’s been a town administrator. I’ve been a manager. We can talk about that, too. Any way that I can support you in getting information out there, so the community can make a good decision for the community.”

Gregoire said a public discussion would help, not only the selectboard, but also the voters.

Other members of the selectboard agreed, with Mike Pelczar saying this should be well-advertised, and Jeanie Forrester saying it should be done before the summer.

“I personally think we should do it sooner than later,” Forrester said.

Forrester suggested maybe in the fall, ahead of budget season. She also said a public forum could be held before the 2027 Town Meeting.

“To make sure everyone has access,” Forrester said.

Forrester was curious about the untruths Milner spoke of.

“It became clear to me at the meeting that there may have been some disagreements with management style that I may have,” Milner said. “Things that came out in the meeting were, like, not a team, not having a management team. I know the board knows that I was adamant about having a team as a management team, and that we work together as a team. Not allowing the management team to be here, that’s not the case.”

Milner clarified the management team is not required to be at the meeting unless they have something to address. She said management team members are also involved in professional associations, and have night meetings during the week.

“The board does not like surprises at meetings, which is nice,” Milner sad. “You workshop something, and then vote on something at the next meeting. So, if anything comes up at a meeting, and the board would like that department head, like tonight, we’ll have two department heads at the next meeting.”

Milner added she wanted to be sure this wasn’t a “targeted thing based on differences of opinions.”

“This is a long-term thing for the town, and it makes a huge difference.”

Forrester said that was a good example, and acknowledged it must be difficult in Milner’s seat. She also recognized the gravity of the vote.

“It’s historical when you consider where it came from a long time employee who has gone through many managers,” Forrester said to Milner. “So, I wouldn’t necessarily take it all on yourself, if you know what I’m saying, because I think as far as since you’ve been here, department heads have been in front of us. We had a great budget hearing, but it hasn’t always been that way. I just want to put that out there.”

Selectboard member Lynn Leighton said this is a huge decision, voted on by the townspeople, and everyone, including the selectboard, needs to be educated.

“It isn’t something that I take lightly, and I hope that everyone else feels that same way in the community, and are taking the time to educate themselves.”