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Ossipee select board puts town-manager question on March ballot
Summary
The Ossipee Board of Selectmen voted to sponsor a warrant article asking voters whether to adopt a town‑manager form of government under RSA 37; the question will appear on the official March ballot as a fill‑in (yes/no).
The Ossipee Board of Selectmen voted to place a warrant article on the March ballot asking voters whether to adopt the town‑manager form of government under RSA 37.
Selectman Brian moved that the board sponsor the warrant question, saying the article would authorize “the legislative body of the townspeople at the upcoming annual town meeting to consider moving from the town administrator for the adoption of the town manager form of government under RSA 37 as prescribed by state law to be placed on the official ballot in the upcoming March election.” The motion was seconded and, after discussion of timing and historical context, the board voted to include the article on the paper ballot. The chair clarified the question is statutorily prescribed and will be presented as a circle fill‑in with a yes or no option.
Board members debated potential impacts and timing. Supporters argued a town manager could improve operational efficiency and give selectmen more capacity for long‑term policy work; one selectman said a manager’s authority could allow routine operational steps to be executed without requiring a full board vote. Opponents and some residents cautioned the change could distance decisionmaking from voters and questioned whether it is appropriate to pursue the change ahead of a newly constituted board.
The board did not adopt the town‑manager form at the meeting; it only approved placing the question before voters. If residents approve the change at the ballot, the select board would retain authority to appoint the town manager in accordance with RSA 37.
