Town Council — May 18, 2026
The meeting featured a formal administrative charge against a council member, split votes on key ordinances, and vocal resident frustration regarding governance and development.
Public impact
PUD Ordinance Revision
Town Clerk Salary Increase
FY2028 Budget Guidance
Decisions logged
Topics discussed
▶ 05:00 National Public Works Week Proclamation
The Council recognized National Public Works Week (May -6, 2026) and the Department of Public Works' staff.
▶ 24:28 Town Manager's Report & Upcoming Agenda
The Town Manager outlined upcoming agenda items for June 1st and June 15th, including traffic management, child passenger safety, and budget discussions.
▶ 24:34 Council Meeting Schedule (Summer Hours)
The Council debated whether to adopt a reduced summer meeting schedule (one meeting per month in July/August) or maintain the regular bi-weekly schedule.
▶ 25:18 Memorandum Regarding Charter Violation
The Town Manager read a formal memorandum accusing Councilor Ted Coombs of violating the Town Charter by interfering with administrative staff and directing employees.
▶ 25:57 Policy Regarding Use of Legal Counsel
A discussion arose regarding the costs and procedures for using legal counsel, specifically addressing the use of attorneys to relay guidance memoranda.
▶ 26:51 Public Comment
Multiple residents expressed frustration regarding town governance, lack of progress on policies (ethics, traffic code, administrative code), and perceived political polarization.
▶ 11:25 Retirement Recognition for Lorena Paloma
The Council presented a resolution honoring Lorena Paloma for her 11 years of service to the Building Department.
▶ 13:54 Public Comment: Veterans Tax Credit
Residents inquired about the status and implementation of the veterans tax credit.
▶ 15:35 Public Comment: Property Taxes for Seniors
A resident expressed concern regarding the sustainability of high property taxes for senior citizens.
▶ 20:06 Public Comment: Council Governance and Payroll Items
A resident questioned the legality of payroll changes being included in consent items and discussed warrant article wording.
▶ 22:06 Public Comment: Traffic and Noise in North End
A resident reported persistent drag racing, burnouts, and street takeovers in the north end of town near the airport.
▶ 41:00 Board Appointment: Budget Committee
The Council interviewed and voted on an applicant for the Budget Committee.
▶ 51:33 Public Hearing: PUD Ordinance Amendment
A formal public hearing regarding amendments to the Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance, focusing on commercial vs. residential balance and environmental protections.
▶ 1:05:43 Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Development Agreements
A discussion regarding the town's control over developers through development agreements, specifically addressing road infrastructure, maintenance responsibilities, and the distinction between private and public roads.
▶ 1:18:00 Public Comment: Impact of Development on Town Character and Infrastructure
Citizens expressed concerns regarding increased traffic congestion (specifically the 'miserable mile'), water quantity/quality, noise/light pollution, and the loss of small-town identity and farmland.
▶ 2:07:54 Woodmont Commons Development Dispute
A representative for Pillsbury Realty Development addressed comments made by Councillor Paul regarding the Woodmont PUD, arguing that the development has met its commercial/residential balance and provided significant net revenue to the town.
▶ 2:17:00 PUD Ordinance Review
The Council discussed the quality of the new Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance, with members debating whether to adopt the improved version or shelve the ordinance until the planning department is more fully staffed.
▶ 2:26:39 Library Building Repairs (Phase 2)
The Library Board of Trustees presented the scope and estimates for Phase 2 of building repairs, focusing on HVAC replacement and rooftop unit issues to control humidity and prevent mold.
▶ 2:39:47 FY2028 Budget Guidance
The Council discussed providing guidance to the Town Manager for the FY28 budget, debating the use of 'default' budgets, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and 'zero-out' budgeting methods.
▶ 3:04:48 Budgeting Strategy and Tax Rate Guidance
The Council discussed whether to provide budget guidance based on a 'default plus 1%' model or a total tax rate cap, weighing the need for departmental needs against fiscal restraint.
▶ 3:27:40 Strategic Plan: Walkability and Pedestrian Safety
Discussion regarding a community letter about pedestrian safety near Pillsbury Road and Route 102, and how to incorporate these concerns into the strategic plan.
▶ 3:31:00 Strategic Plan: Economic Development
The Town Manager presented a redesign for the economic development priority to use an RFQ for a consulting firm rather than hiring in-house staff to reduce benefit costs.
▶ 3:39:00 Town Clerk Salary Increase
A debate regarding a 15.3% salary increase for the elected Town Clerk, with some members arguing it was overdue due to previous years of no increases, while others opposed the amount.
▶ 4:55:36 Town Governance and Structure
Discussion regarding the town's growth and the potential need to amend the town structure, specifically addressing the workload of election supervisors for a population of 16,000 to 18,000.
▶ 4:57:24 Planning Board Vacancy and Recruitment
An update on a vacancy in the Planning Board due to a resigned alternate member and a suggestion to involve the Planning Board Chair in the nomination process to ensure specific expertise or geographic representation.
▶ 5:00:17 Administrative and Policy Agenda Updates
A review of various town policies and administrative codes (including fire prevention, traffic, and financial management) that have been removed from upcoming agendas.
▶ 5:03:26 Library Construction and Financial Management
Clarification regarding the library construction project, noting that the construction manager (Re-Arc) is seeking multiple bids to ensure cost savings and due diligence.
▶ 5:07:40 Town Equipment and Building Maintenance
A public comment suggesting the fire department conduct building inspections and inventory to prevent large, unexpected repair costs.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Charter Violation Allegation against Councilor Coombs
Planned Unit Development (PUD) Ordinance Amendment
Town Clerk Salary Increase
Split votes
Community vs. board tension
Action items
Notable statements
We are a very small department that maintains a 365-day year, 24-hour day emergency operation... comprised of myself and a deputy director, two engineers, two admins, and then a labor force of 13. — Speaker A (DPW Representative) · Describing the scale of DPW operations during National Public Works Week. ▶ 07:00
The council needs to be more respectful of the public's time. — Speaker A (Council Member) · Quoting a previous statement regarding council conduct. ▶ 38:00
Anything that gets built in Londonderry is market-driven... what you do have control over... is if that development comes back and says... we're going to put more houses in. That's where you all come in. — Tony DiFrancesco · Discussing the role of the Council in development agreements regarding PUDs. ▶ 1:05:30
A PUD does not stop development. If someone owns a piece of land in New Hampshire, they have a right to build on it with the underlying zoning. — Councillor Paul · Clarifying to residents that implementing a PUD ordinance is a tool for management, not a mechanism to prevent all growth. ▶ 1:52:00
A PUD is a way for a developer to build this kind of stuff... [it can] make it tax-positive. If you just leave it raw land, you have no control over it, no pocket parks, you have nothing. — Tony Di Francesco · Arguing that PUDs allow the town to negotiate amenities like parks and trails that wouldn't exist under standard zoning. ▶ 1:54:40
The PUD goes against what the residents of the town surveyed... [The Master Plan] says preservation of community character, farmland and small town. I'm not sure where PUD falls into that category. — Katherine Genest · Comparing current development trends to the goals established in the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission's master plan. ▶ 1:24:00
Woodmont has generated approximately $15.7 million in net revenue to the town... including more than 2.5 million in net positive fiscal impact in 2025. — Speaker A (Realty Representative) · Countering claims that the Woodmont PUD has been a burden to taxpayers. ▶ 2:10:50
Woodmont has not built nor even requested approval for a single residential unit beyond what was authorized under the original plan approved by the town in 2013. — Kevin Smith · Rebutting claims that the developer had exceeded residential density limits or deviated from the approved plan. ▶ 2:10:00
The old PUD was a D- minus as far as quality. The new one is a C-minus. — Councillor · Evaluating the quality of the proposed new PUD ordinance. ▶ 2:18:00
This town has been operating below default for years. We are in the arrears... we need to maintain our buildings. — Councillor · Arguing for a shift in budgeting philosophy from cutting to proactive maintenance. ▶ 2:52:50
If we want to have pedestrian crossings [on Route 102], we have to advocate for it cuz we will not get it otherwise. — Town Manager · Discussing the low priority of Route 102 on the State DOT list. ▶ 3:29:00
We are not in a good situation... because people have kicked the can down the road. — Dan · Discussing the necessity of sudden large salary increases and deferred maintenance. ▶ 3:42:00
The elected town clerk is not a town employee... there is a huge difference. — Unidentified speaker · Clarifying the legal status and compensation structure of elected officials versus staff. ▶ 3:45:00
No counselor should give orders or in any way interfere with the performance of the duties of any of the administrative officers or employees. — Speaker A (Town Manager) · Reading the Town Charter section regarding prohibited interference. ▶ 25:19
It's indefinite... You're tabling without tabling. Because you're not giving it a date. — Deb · Criticizing the removal of policy items from the agenda without rescheduling them. ▶ 25:05
The actions described... constitute prohibited interference with town administration. — Speaker A (Town Manager) · Formally charging Councilor Coombs with charter violations. ▶ 25:49
We're at a bridge. We're too big for our small town structure now. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing the need for structural amendments due to town growth. ▶ 4:55:36
I do expect you to respect each other and not talk bad about each other... — Unidentified speaker · Addressing interpersonal disagreements and conduct within the council. ▶ 4:57:45
The chair runs the meeting. That's it. And get the information to all five of you so you can have a civil [discussion] and move things forward. — Unidentified speaker · Clarifying the role of the Chair and the importance of information sharing among council members. ▶ 5:06:33
Public comment
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gemma-4-26b, grok-4.3, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, grok-4-fast · analyzed 2026-06-02.