Republican Candidates Want to Make Changes to Town Boards and Commissions

Republican candidates for the Manchester Board of Directors say a number of town boards and commission have "languished under the lack of direction," and that if elected they would "draft new charges" for the town's current boards and commissions and even consider merging several. 

“Town Residents deserve attention to the important matters these commissions are charged to address. Responsibility lands entirely with the Directors to oversee them,” said Patick Greene, a Republican candidate for the Board of Directors. 

Timothy Devanney Jr., another Republican candidate for the board, said he shares Greene's vision, and that he believes it would benefit the Manchester community. 

“Providing clear direction to great volunteers has produced great results,” said Devanney. 

Republicans say the local boards that could benefit from streamlining or possible consolidation are the Housing Commission, Fair Rent and the Property Maintenance Code Municipal Board of Appeals. 

"Although the Boards and Commissions are staffed by volunteer political appointments, valuable town staff time is dedicated to compliance," Greene and Devanney Jr. noted in a statement. "Also, a significant number of Board of Directors business is spent on making appointments to these boards." 

Mayor Leo V. Diana, a Democrat who is also seeking re-election in November and serves as the chairman of the board, said he did not think any changes were needed. 

"Every Board and Commission has a purpose and its own charge, some are more demanding than others," Diana said. "The current board and commission structure serves the town well and should be maintained."

Democratic Town Committee Chairman Mike Pohl said he found it "disturbing" that two candidates with no experience in town government were seeking to change it. 

"Neither candidate has any direct knowledge on how Boards and Commissions operate," Pohl said. "They feel a need to change our (local) government without ever having dealt with it. The real problem is that Republicans cannot fill the spots on Boards and Commissions that they are entitled to under the law.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013.