Chris Jensen: Sen. Lang wants to remove local control from Lakes Region communities

To The Daily Sun,

If readers cherish local control, they might be interested to know that their state senator — Timothy Lang — was one of 14 Republican senators who recently stabbed them in the back.

Early in June, Republican Sen. Howard Pearl (R-Loudon) was the champion of a surprise amendment to the budget. It would effectively put control of new landfill sites — or landfill expansions — in the hands of a state committee. 

And, it would be wrong to think that this doesn’t matter because there is no commercial landfill near here. 

That amendment would minimize — or perhaps eliminate — the role of a town’s planning, zoning and selectboards. The language was legally murky, but it raised the possibility that the state could cancel legal agreements, as well as planning and zoning decisions.

“This could be the largest infringement on local control this body has ever considered,” warned Republican Sen. Denise Ricciardi of Bedford, one of two Republican senators who opposed it. 

Republican Sen. David Rochefort said approving the amendment could have statewide implications. He argued that the legal impact of the amendment was not clear. He said “critical uncertainties” included whether the new amendment “could invalidate a legally binding settlement…and overturn the will of the community.”

“What kind of precedent does this set? Could this logic apply to real estate contracts, NDAs or employment agreements?” Sen. Rochefort asked his fellow senators.

“Are we saying the Legislature can undo contracts whenever it favors one outcome, that the state can force your community into expanding a landfill even if your town doesn’t want it?” he said. 

Sen. Rochefort urged the Senate not to “proceed blindly” and instead hit pause: Take time for additional legal research to avoid making a serious mistake.

Instead, Sen. Lang was among those who defeated the let’s-be-careful motion. The only Republicans voting to hit “pause” on the amendment were Sen. Rochefort and Sen. Ricciardi.

The House recently killed the Pearl amendment. But the point remains. However, if Sen. Lang and his Republican allies got their way, local control would have taken a serious hit.

So, if readers like the idea of losing local control, they should be pleased with Sen. Lang. If not, when he seeks another term, remember that he cavalierly wanted to take away their right to decide what happens to their town.

If readers want to see the Senate’s discussion, go here and find 1 hour, 40 minutes and 40 seconds: youtube.com/watch?v=vAMlXC5eBKU.

Here are the senators: Howard Pearl (R-Loudon); Timothy Lang (R-Sanbornton); Mark McConkey (R-Freedom); James P. Gray (R-Rochester): Daniel Innis (R-Bradford); David Watters (D-Dover); Ruth Ward (R-Stoddard); Tim McGough (R-Merrimack): Kevin Avard (R-Nashua); Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry); Keith Murphy (R-Manchester); Victoria Sullivan (R-Manchester); Regina Birdsell (R-Hampstead); Daryl Abbas (R-Salem) and William Gannon (R-Sandown). 

Chris Jensen

Bethlehem