State of New Hampshire "government structure" 101?? (house, schools)

[DareToDream]

I know I've been in the state for about 1-1/2 years and should know these things, but things have been rather chaotic since we first moved and are finally calming down, so my mind is starting to work again.

Anybody know where the best place to start on learn how the government is structured either from the State level down to town level or town level up to the State level? I've checked the state website and the county website and the local website and maybe I'm looking for the impossible - a kind of flow chart maybe?

At the town level for instance, there is a Board of Selectmen and a Town Manager with various and sundry departments that report to the selectmen (as close as I can figure, anyway, and I may be way off base). We have not had a town manager since we've been here, just interim and interim-interim, but I understand we do now have a "real" one. Who holds the ultimate "say" in what goes on in the town - is it the Selectmen or the Manager?

I feel so stupid asking these questions

If I have to, I will go to the town office and ask them how things work, but wondered if anyone could direct me somewhere so I don't sound totally stupid when speaking with someone.....I don't have any gripes, I just want to understand the "workings" of things - the structure seems to be different from what I was used to in NY, but it may just be something as simple as different terminology, i.e. NY we had a Town Supervisor...is this the equivalent of a Town Manager.....we had a Town Board (smaller community census-wise but more members)...is this the equivalent of the Selectmen?

Does this question make any sense to anyone?????

[bryfry]

Excellent question 'chimes! Since I will be moving to NH soon, I should also know the ins and outs of the gov., as well. Don't feel silly......it's a legitimate question that many of us probably want to know!!

[kelleybell00]

I agree with bryfry. That is an excellent question. I know that my local government infrastucture is very confusing. I live in a county that has 5 incorporated cities, however I do not reside in any of these cities so I don't have a say in any of their decisions...even though Vero Beach is a city and my address is in vero beach??? This is not a large county either. Vero is the largest city in my county with 17,000 people, followed by 16000, 3800, 3600, and an unbelievable 140??? Each of these cities (up the ladder) have a council, followed by a manager (with the exception of the city with 3800 who has a mayor), then a 5 member county commission. This is just the icing on the cake! There are 62 Departments and councils that are decision makers that represent my county of 130,100 people. It is practically impossible to understand the organizational chart and to understand fully who represents those of us who don't reside in city limits, but make up 90,000+ of the population...too confusing!! So I too would love to know how NH is structured.

[autumnleaf07]

Hey Windchime,

Good question. It was one of my first questions too, having moved to NH from western NY. As I understand it, each NH City or Town has their own local government and depending on its structure can have a Mayor, City Councilors or a Board of Selectmen along with a City/Town Manager. Each City/Town also typically has their own Planning Board, Zoning Board and Conservation Commission. Each City/Town can then have a variety of different departments or they can share departments with neighboring towns. It really depends on which City or Town you live in and all that info should be available on the Town's website (if they have one) or available at the Town Hall - so go in and ask - it's what they're there for! Whereas, NY takes more of a county approach.

[remember-voltaire]

never feel stupid for asking a question especially as you have some good questions to be asked

[DareToDream]

Thank you for the replies (I used to be windchimes03561 but had my screen name changed <g>). I had forgotten I posted this question! Life got a bit hectic, but I *think* I'm starting to understand the structure a bit better. I still have to go to the town offices to truly understand if my thinking is correct...not sure if it will be before or after the first of the year, but it's on my "to do" list so I can at least discuss things in town intelligently!

[GregW]

I'll give this a try. First - Look on the New Hampshire state website. I think the Secretary of State’s office had this explained in exquisite detail

Local government - town level

There are a couple of hundred towns in NH. They are 'governed' by a Board of Selectmen with three to five members. The Selectmen set town policy, and have the final say on the hiring, firing of employees and set the town budget. They function as an executive council. The town manager is an employee that runs the town bureaucracy on a day-to-day basis. Depending on the population of the town the complexity of the bureaucracy can vary from, for example, one road agent the takes care of fixing and plowing the roads to a 20 man road department.

The School board is generally a world unto itself and sets school policy and runs the schools through a system of superintendents and principals. I do not know much about this section of government.

City government is quite similar with the addition of a set of wards that kind of divide the city into “towns” for voting and administrative work. I think?

The state government consists of a Judiciary, a House (435 members!) an Senate ( I forget the # of Members), an Executive council (13 members) and an executive run by the governor.

One of the neat parts of the NH government is the huge numbers of Representatives, this means that you may just become a member of the legislature if you live here long enough and don’t try to avoid getting elected. The job only pays $100 per session so it is effectively a voluntary effort and dominated by retired people or folks that are subsidized in some way by their personal wealth or their businesses. This leads to some interesting decisions. I think the $100 per session was set in 1887 and the legislature met for 6 weeks every two years so the $100 was a decent compensation. Now it serves to limit the legislature to self-supporting folks. Not surprisingly these have been mostly Republicans until the last election.

[buck naked]

"The job only pays $100 per session"


plus perks - can't forget those - free skiing at state areas for example......

[GregW]

A friend of mine is a state legislator and, believe me, the job is a labor of civic duty. These people do not do this for the money or the perks. They should be commended, even the Republicans I generally disagree with, for spending thier own time for our benefit.

[DareToDream]

Thank you Greg - That explains it very well! At least for me....and yes, those who are members of the legislature should be commended! I'll check out the Secretary of State's info as well!