GRA: Selectmen reverse themselves on right-to-know issue

January 9, 2007
Selectmen reverse themselves on right-to-know issue
Board votes 5-0 to record votes by name

GOFFSTOWN - The Goffstown Board of Selectmen, by a 5-0 margin, last night voted to reverse their previous decision of December 4, 2006 and augment official meeting minutes to record member votes by individual name. The motion to reconsider, made by selectman Bruce Hunter, sparked spirited discussion among board members, some of whom made numerous references to the fact that the board's previous practice of not recording votes by name did not constitute a violation of any local or state right-to-know statutes.

Hunter's original motion was expanded by chairperson Barbara Griffin to include explanations for abstention votes as well. During the discussion, Griffin also made reference to the Goffstown Residents Association (GRA) as being an "organization that doesn't have a membership list or records of votes or editorial staff." Apparently unknown to Griffin, the GRA does in fact maintain a membership list, currently comprised of 412 registered Goffstown voters. Also apparently unknown to Griffin is that the GRA has an editorial staff as well - also comprised of all 412 members, as all articles and editorials are contributed by various members of the organization. As for recording votes, the GRA does not meet on a regular basis nor do its members "vote" on any issues. Rather, members are polled via telephone and email when determining what positions to take on particular issues or which candidates and articles to endorse at each annual Town Vote.

Background

At the December 4th meeting, a motion made by Goffstown selectmen Nick Campasano, seconded by selectman John Caprio, to augment official minutes taken during the board of selectmen meetings to record votes by board member name failed 2-3, as board members Philip D'Avanza, Barbara Griffin and Bruce Hunter all voted against.

The ensuing reaction by residents throughout Goffstown was swift and direct. The result of the vote ultimately caused widespread reaction not only by residents, but throughout the entire state. Numerous articles and editorials, not only in the Goffstown News, but the Manchester Union Leader as well, along with numerous letters by local residents were published since the original December 5th vote.

As a result, a petition warrant article was submitted on Friday by resident Guy Caron for inclusion on the March 2007 Town ballot which would mandate such recordings by member name for all boards and committees in Goffstown. That petition article reads as follows:

ARTICLE 28:

“Shall the Town vote to direct that records (including official minutes) of transactions and undertakings of all public bodies of the Town of Goffstown and of any and all Town public proceedings as defined in N.H. RSA 91-A:1-a are to include descriptive information reflecting the affirmative or negative vote cast and noted by each individual member of such public body on all matters for which a vote is taken, such that member votes are recorded by name and subject matter of each vote.”

Please support the Right-To-Know Petition Warrant Article

The result of last night's vote can be reversed at a later date as easily as it was passed last night. As such, we urge all Goffstown voters to support this article on March 13th, and help promote accountability and openness in Goffstown's government.

RELATED ARTICLES

Background on Goffstown's Right-To-Know issue



Dedicated to Restoring & Maintaining Integrity in Goffstown Government