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Roxbury delegates present preliminary merger talks with Marlborough; selectmen urge due diligence
Summary
Officials from Roxbury described early steps toward a possible merger with Marlborough, including an ad hoc committee and NHMA guidance; Marlborough selectmen said Roxbury must prepare a formal proposal and cautioned that extensive due diligence and Town Meeting votes would be required from both towns.
Representatives from Roxbury described preliminary work on a possible municipal merger with Marlborough during the Board of Selectmen meeting July 22. Selectman Mark Funk (Roxbury) and Lucius Parshall said an ad hoc committee in Roxbury is defining roles and that citizens are beginning to step up; Funk distributed a packet containing emails from the New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) with legal questions and considerations for both towns.
Selectman Pitt cautioned that "Roxbury has an enormous amount of due diligence that needs to take place," warning Marlborough to consider what burdens a merger could bring and noting Roxbury residents may worry about losing their identity and how they would participate in local government. Town Administrator Ellen Smith said Marlborough has no proposal from Roxbury to review and that any change would require votes at Town Meeting in both municipalities and would likely be years away.
Chairman Paight told the Roxbury delegates that he could see an advisory-only warrant article on a future Marlborough ballot asking voters whether they want the selectmen to continue talks, but the board said there is not yet enough information to bring such an advisory question to the next Town Meeting. Lucius Parshall said he had contacted the county grants manager to explore funding for proposal work, and Funk said Roxbury may need to pay for outside assistance such as Municipal Resources, Inc. (MRI) to assemble a viable plan.
The board recorded no formal action on a merger; several selectmen emphasized the need for a formal proposal and fiscal analysis before any advisory or binding steps would be taken. Mark Funk and Lucius Parshall left the meeting at 11:05 a.m.
