Residents, selectboard differ in desire for change in Meredith government structure

MEREDITH — For nearly 80 years, Meredith has had a town manager. That could change come Town Meeting, after a push to shift to a town administrator, to give power back to the selectboard.

Leading up to the 2026 Town Meeting, retired Public Works Director Mike Faller gathered more than 30 signatures for a petitioned warrant article. The article was advisory only due to a wording technicality, and passed 88-51 at the end of the 4.5-hour meeting.

After the meeting, the board decided to hold forums to educate the public in anticipation of another article, and vote, in 2027.

The second of such forums was held Monday, attracting about 40 residents. Some spoke in favor of a change, others were looking for more information, and some voters wondered if a change was actually needed.

“The biggest piece of the puzzle is we have had bad results with two town managers in a row, and the only solution was the nuclear one, which is, ‘sorry, goodbye,’” said Craig Skinner, a proponent of making a change to town administrator. “Every time that happens, it sets the town back.”

Skinner said the biggest problem is the inability to choose something besides a staffing change, which most recently occurred with the firing of Judie Milner this month.

The forum

A lot has changed since the first forum on May 18.

Chair Steve Aiken said Milner's firing was due to “differences in management styles.” Police Chief Michael Harper is now interim town manager, and Aiken said he expects him to be in that role until at least the March 2027 Town Meeting.

While Faller spoke at the first meeting, he was not present Monday.

Aiken started the forum, on Monday, by giving a slide presentation on the differences between a town manager and administrator.

A main difference is the manager is established under state law, while an administrator is generally created by a local policy, ordinance, or the selectboard. The manager has statutory powers and duties, and the administrator doesn’t have independent statutory authority unless delegated by the selectboard.

The manager essentially serves as the chief executive officer of the town, with direct supervisory authority over departments. One key difference is the manager has full reign over hiring, firing, and personnel compensation. 

An administrator, according to Aiken’s presentation, generally serves as an operational coordinator for the selectboard. Responsibilities include coordinating day-to-day operations; budget presentation; managing agendas; acting as a liaison between departments and the selectboard; implementing board policies; overseeing purchasing; preparing warrants and meeting materials; and overseeing projects.

A manager organizes town departments; appoints and removes subordinate officers and employees; supervises municipal operations; prepares and administers budgets; advises the selectboard; oversees contracts and purchasing; and manages town property and operations. The selectboard sets policy and strategic direction, and the manager handles administrative work.

The presentation included advantages for each. A typical advantage for an administrator, Aiken said, is strong selectboard involvement; flexibility in defining duties; lower administrative cost; gradual professionalism; and preserving the traditional town governance structure.

For managers, advantages noted in the presentation included professional centralized management; clear operational accountability; reduced selectboard involvement in personnel matters; stronger long-range planning and financial management; and greater consistency in administration.

Disadvantages for an administrator include potential for operational micromanagement; less clear administrative authority; and difficulty in recruiting.

Manager disadvantages include potential community resistance; reduced selectboard direction for operations; more formal structure; and higher expectations for executive performance.

Dean Cascadden, a retired school superintendent and candidate for Statehouse, wanted to talk personnel. He said the school board could only hire people he recommended, and asked if this is the case with an administrator.

Selectboard member Jeanie Forrester shook her head, and said the administrator can give advice to the selectboard, but it is ultimately the selectboard’s decision. She also added it depends on the community, as does much of how an administrator position is handled. She said most communities across the state have town administrators, and most have rules and procedures.

“Ultimately, the selectboard makes the decision at the end of the day,” Forrester said.

Skinner said what it really boils down to is how a selectboard sets the authority for the administrator. He wasn’t sure how much of the information presented he agreed with.

Ann Sprague said there’s a lot to think about with a change in management style. It is her understanding an administrator can really do everything a manager can, aside from hiring, firing and personnel matters. Looking at the documents provided at the meeting, she said disadvantages include recruitment challenges. She wondered what the challenges are, and if an administrator is considered lower tier.

Forrester recently took the job of New Hampton’s administrator, and she has held the role in three other communities. She did not consider an administrator to be on a lower level than manager.

For recruitment efforts, if a new administrator were to be hired, she said there are two guiding factors: the community and the compensation.

Forrester said a positive about an administrator is the selectboard can pull back their responsibility if things are getting out of hand. That cannot be done with a manager, as the position is protected by state statute.

Skinner referred to the town population, noting there are just over 6,800 people in town. There are 22 communities with a population greater than this with an administrator, going all the way up to 34,000 residents.

“It is all driven by how you delegate authority to the town administrator,” Skinner said.

Harper said he has worked in town for 30 years, and thinks the current form of government has worked.

Retired Parks and Recreation Director Vint Choiniere said Monday he wasn’t advocating for any form of government yet.

Selectboard comments

One resident asked the opinions of the selectboard.

Selectboard member Mike Pelczar said he would like to stay neutral on the topic, and thinks it's up to the voters to decide. He noted the change wasn’t brought forward by the selectboard, but rather “an outer group.” The board is educating themselves on the differences between the two formats.

Member Lynn Leighton agreed, saying as a board, they are all learning. They have only known a manager.

Board member Jim Gregoire said he doesn’t see a lot of differences between the two. He said he was “unpersuaded” in wanting to make a change.

“I do not observe a good reason to make that change.”

Forrester did not recommend one way or the other on Monday, but said she can speak from experience. Some of what she heard about the differences was true, she said, but not all.

Forrester heard the selectboard will have much more work added to their plates, but she doesn’t believe that to be true.

“I think that’s a red herring.”

Forrester said the manager form had worked for “many, many years,” noting some had long stints, like Peter Russell for 20 years, and Phil Warren serving for 10. Aiken added there has been a manager since 1949 in Meredith.

Aiken reminded the audience the issue came up because a former employee wasn’t satisfied with management, referring to Faller.

“In part, this would have never come up if it wasn’t for that individual starting this whole process,” he said. “As someone who’s been on the selectboard, coming into my fifth year, I feel that the town manager model works. I don’t have any experience with the others. Obviously, I know other communities that have done very well, or do well, with it. I just don’t know why we’re here.”

There was some speculation there wouldn't be another article on the upcoming warrant. It surprised Aiken that Faller was not at the meeting. Skinner made clear there would be a petition again for a warrant article coming again.

“I keep hearing this suggestion that it won’t happen,” Skinner said. “Obviously, some of the people that are saying that don’t fully understand the individual that will bring it. He’ll get the signatures. We will be voting on this.”