Goffstown selectmen to name names

GOFFSTOWN --- 01/10/07:  The board of selectmen bowed to public pressure on Monday, reversing a decision to not record the names of members with their votes.

Selectman Bruce Hunter made a motion to reconsider the prior vote, in keeping with procedural rules that do not allow members voting in the minority to bring the issue up again. Phil D'Avanza, who had also been in the majority, seconded the motion.

Yesterday, Hunter said he revived the issue in response to the public outcry following the initial Dec. 4 vote. Selectman John Caprio and Nick Campasano were the dissenters.

In response, the Goffstown Residents Association launched a petition drive to force selectmen to fully record votes. The local watchdog organization also said it would push for a change to the state right-to-know-law, which mandates roll call votes only when public boards are preparing to enter a non-public session.

On Monday, the board was unanimous in its vote to start recording names. The board also mandated its meeting minutes record the reasons why members abstained from votes.

The board's decision, according to Hunter, applies to all town boards and committees.

"If that's what the people wanted, they can have it," Hunter said.

Guy Caron, chairman of the Goffstown Residents Association, originally requested the change. Yesterday, he said he was pleased selectmen relented.

"It's about time that they listened to their constituents and do the right thing," Caron said.

But he said the organization will still advocate for its petition warrant article to ensure selectmen cannot change their minds again.

Caron said the effort to amend state law would also continue.

"Let's just get it etched in stone," he said.

Board members had originally opposed the change because it ran contrary to what they said had been the customary practice of all town boards and committee.

D'Avanza, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, had also previously stated that the board should act as a group, and not individuals.

Caprio, meanwhile, said the position of the majority had never made sense to him because all the public sessions of the board were televised anyway.

"I thought it was very important that we always go on record," Caprio said yesterday.