Some Towns March to a Different Drummer

In colonial times, March meetings became the norm and 208 towns still hold to that schedule. But this makes for an odd twist. Most town budgets start in January so by the time residents vote on the new budget, they’re already two months late.

Some places, such as the town of Bow, have moved their meetings to April or May, and shifted their budget to start in July. It makes sense in terms of fiscal management, but Bow’s town moderator, Peter Imse, says he’s still not used to it.

IMSE: At this time of year when I read all these stories in the newspaper and all of the articles prepping folks saying, get ready for town meeting, I feel like I ought to be doing something and I feel left out.

Feelings aside, the bigger concern is that without the media buzz, voters won’t show up. That has happened, but, some places that meet in the spring say turnout has stayed level or even gone up.

With this town meeting minute, I’m Jon Greenberg.

APRIL
Conway
Merrimack

MAY
Bow
Chester
Hanover
Hooksett
Newport
Newmarket
Peterborough
Sanbornton
Stoddard