Craig Cunningham

This bill circumvents the Derry Town Charter, and is an affront to local governance. The first step should have been to form a charter commission which would be made up of elected Derry Citizens to work with public oversight. Currently Derry Residents are able to join the SB Fiscal Advisory Committee and have a say in building the annual budget. At the deliberative session citizens can discuss the budget and propose changes. The final warrant articles are voted on by members of the public who participate in the deliberative session. At the town elections in March the citizens of Derry vote on the school budget, union contracts, and bonds to be issued. The current structure of the Town Charter provides Derry Citizens with the right to change our town government. The Legislature should honor our rights and honor the process. If HB1331 is a good idea then allow it as an optional form of Government for all NH Communities to accept and allow the Charter Commissions in the municipalities to recommend this form of government to their voters.