Public Comment

The Charter Commission met last night and had it's first opportunity to hear from the community. 

Four people spoke. 

One of the things I've heard from people recently is that they felt it was too soon in the process to really know anything about the Charter. They want to hear more about what the Charter Commission wants to do before they comment. And the Charter Commission would like to get some direction from the residents of Newmarket before it sets off in a direction the public doesn't support. Maybe the next couple meetings will help us meet in the middle. 

I also think it's important to note that this isn't a test on each citizen's knowledge of the Charter. People have said that they don't feel like they know enough to have an opinion, but this is your government and your town, so you already know plenty. I think we just need to break it down into some broader questions. 

Here are a few that come to mind: 

• Do you like the structure of our government (consider the Town Council, Budget Committee, SB2)? 
• Do you like the Deliberative session? 
• How do you feel about voter participation? 
• If you didn't grow up in Newmarket, what was the form of government in your hometown and what did you like/not like about that? 
• Do you feel like your opinions are represented on the Council and other boards in Town? 

At our next meeting on June 24th, the Commission will be identifying and discussing the major opportunities and issues we see facing the Town now and in the next 10-15 years. What do you think? 

There are 3 more scheduled opportunities for people to provide public input--July 8, August 12 and September 9.