Village submits petitions and paperwork to State Boundary Commission

Manchester–village or city?

Manchester took another step forward last week in the lengthy process of its quest to become a city.

With the help of elected officials and approximately 20 volunteer citizens, about 280 signatures–nearly three times the number required–were collected on petitions that were circulated throughout the community, asking the State Boundary Commission to consider the question of the Village’s incorporation as a home rule city.

In addition, a six-page addendum outlining the reasons that the village is seeking to incorporate with city status was also filed with the State Boundary Commission, who will take about six months to review the petition and conduct a public hearing. The process will then continue with a referendum opportunity, the election of a Charter Commission by Village residents, and another election for the Village to approve the Commission’s Charter.

“The State Boundary Commission (SBC) has authority to determine whether this is a reasonable request,” explained Village President Pat Vailliencourt at the November 2 meeting of Village Council. “They can then approve or deny our request.” Council approved sending the petitions and addendum to the SBC at the same meeting.

At this time, it appears that it will be late spring or early summer before the SBC completes its consideration of the village’s request to incorporate as a city. If it is approved, they will first have the Manchester Township Clerk validate all of the signatures, and then public hearings will be set with participation from the SBC representative.

“From here on out, it is not really in our hands,” Vailliencourt explained. “The State Boundary Commission will run the show from now on.”

In its final report to Village Council and village residents in 2019, the Citizens Advisory Committee recommended that Council pursue the route to cityhood. “Our discovery process revealed more benefits to incorporating as a city than drawbacks. While the obvious advantage of having more control over our tax dollars is evident, there are other compelling factors that brought us to this conclusion. The elimination of a duplicative government structure, the potential reduction of Village property taxes, modernization of our government structure and recognition by the state as a primary unit of government are other benefits,” it concluded.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.