Charter Commission

The Charter Commission no longer meets due to the proposed Charter being passed at the 2023 Salem Town Meeting. For updates on future Charter amendments, please visit: Town Charter | Salem, NH

Overview of Commission

In 2022, the Charter Commission evaluated all forms of government (PDF) allowed in New Hampshire, including all seven forms of town government and two forms of city government. The Commissioners followed a timeline (PDF) outlined by state statutes. Once they agreed on a draft charter, the Offices of the Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Department of Revenue went through the process of approving the wording. After approval, the proposed charter was presented to the voters in Salem, who voted in March 2023 whether to accept the draft charter, or reject the entire proposed form of government, in which case Salem would have remained an SB2 town. At the 2023 Town Meeting, the Charter received the necessary 3/5 vote required to pass. 

Background

In 1981 and 1982, Salem attempted to adopt a representative legislative body with a nine-member Town Council, but that measure failed. In 1998, Salem adopted a charter under the provisions of RSA 49-D:2,II-a. The 1998 charter consisted of three sessions: a first open session, an election with an official ballot session, and a final open session, RSA 49-D:3,II-a. View a copy of the 1998 Charter (PDF) (which was repealed in 2012). In 2009, Salem again attempted to adopt a town charter, but the Charter Commission was unable to agree on all the components in the allowed length of time. In 2012, Salem adopted the provisions of RSA 40:13, known as SB2 (Senate Bill Number 2), repealing the 1998 charter and making Salem an official ballot voting town. This is our current form of government (PDF).

On March 8, 2022, Salem voters approved two articles that allowed the creation of a Charter Commission, charged with the task of reviewing Salem’s current form of government, and to “draft a municipal charter.” On April 26, Salem voters elected nine members to serve on the Charter Commission out of a field of 35 candidates.

Meetings

Since the Charter was adopted in 2023, the Charter Commission no longer meets. The public is welcome to review old agendas, minutes and videos here: All Agendas, Minutes, and Videos

Members