During the Monday night Londonderry Town Council meeting, Council Chair Ron Dunn raised concerns he has been hearing from residents about the future of Old Home Day.
Dunn said some residents worry the annual event may be going away and want it to remain as it is.
The chair also noted that planning time is running short and they are in need of volunteers. He wanted the Council to discuss what they envision for the event moving forward.
Last year, the Town Council created a nonprofit organization to oversee Old Home Day, with the goal of transitioning from a staffrun event to one supported by a volunteer organization, while staff would still remain involved.
Town Councilor Dan Bouchard said he believes much of the concern stems from misinformation circulating in the community about the event being eliminated from the budget.
“I think it’s a bunch of misinformation that went out, to be honest with you,” Bouchard said.
Town Councilor Deb Paul said that while the event may not look exactly the same as it has in the past, change can be a good thing. She noted that Old Home Day was historically run by volunteers until COVID, when the Town became heavily involved.
“I don’t think anyone on this Council wants to kill Old Home Day – we all want to see it go on,” Paul said. “Let’s have a public hearing at our next meeting on Jan. 12, listen to the public, and try to get people to step up and help.”
Dunn said he brought tis topic up specifically so the Council could discuss the concerns the group might have.
Town Council Vice Chair Shawn Faber asked about proposed budget reductions, as the Council is working to cut $400,000 from the upcoming budget. Some of the suggested reductions included Old Home Day related expenses.
Bouchard explained that department heads were asked to identify potential cuts within their own budgets, including overtime associated with the event.
He added later that he has no doubt that there will be coverage given by the police.
“They know their departments, so they are the ones that know how much staff they can provide for a safe event for this community,” he said.
He also mentioned that he had discussed police coverage of the event with Police Chief Kim Bernard and felt the department will have it under control.
Dunn said one concern he has heard is that the newly formed nonprofit committee currently has only two members and needs additional help.
Paul again suggested holding a public hearing to gather input from residents about the new organizational format.
Town Councilor Ted Combes said he has heard from residents who would be willing to volunteer if the event were no longer under a nonprofit structure, but who are hesitant because of the current setup.
Both Dunn and Faber agreed that the reason why people aren’t getting involved is because it is an “intimidating barrier” for volunteers.
Town Manager Shaun Mulholland emphasized that staff will continue to support Old Home Day and noted that he fully funded the event in his original proposed budget. He said the transition to a nonprofit model is intended to shift some responsibilities from staff to volunteers over time.
Faber asked whether the town is locked into the nonprofit structure or if it could be changed.
“You created it; you can also dissolve it,” Mulholland said.
During the second public comment session, resident Sandy Lagueux said that if councilors are hearing concerns about cuts, they should reassure residents that Old Home Day is not being eliminated. She also said she has served on the board of a nonprofit for 25 years and sees no issue with the structure, noting that volunteers can participate without being board members.