An elected official in Londonderry sharply criticized the Town Council during public comment at its most recent meeting, expressing frustration with how the meeting was conducted and questioning whether the Council can work together effectively.
Jeff Penta, who was recently elected to the Budget Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Planning Board, told the Council he has devoted significant time and effort to the community and expects the same level of commitment from others serving in public roles. “I have devoted a lot of time and effort to this community,” Penta said, adding that he approaches his work with the best intentions. “I expect all folks that I work with to do the same.”
Penta noted that he does not often attend Council meetings in person due to a standing Monday commitment, but he watches them afterward. He said he was disappointed by what he saw. “This meeting was a [expletive] show,” Penta said, drawing visible reactions from those in attendance.
He went on to say he is unsure whether the Council is capable of working together productively. “I have spoken with a lot of members, a lot of folks that I’ve looked up to, a lot of people… but if this is going to continue, I don’t want to waste my time,” he said.
Penta emphasized that he volunteers in multiple roles because he wants to make a difference in town. “I’m here to make this community better. Is everyone in this room going to agree with my vision of Londonderry? No. But I do so with data, I do so with best intentions. I try not to do so with a political mind,” he said.
He also expressed concern about the overall direction of the Town. “I feel especially privileged to have the opportunity to volunteer, to have the opportunity to serve it. However, I need to really reevaluate if I want to. If we cannot understand the flaw, if we cannot work within the confines of our positions and within the law, if we don’t know how to build a strategic plan…” Penta said, trailing off.
One example he cited was the ongoing work on the Town’s strategic plan. Penta argued that the Council is focusing on details prematurely, explaining that detailed action items should come after a well structured strategic plan is established. He said the process appears backward and is contributing to confusion and inefficiency.
Following Penta’s remarks, resident Robin Stewart spoke and said she once contacted him with questions about the master plan. She said he helped her far more than she expected and praised his willingness to assist residents. Stewart added that while she is “generally not a fan of the Planning Board,” she acknowledged that the board is able to get things done.
Another resident, Sandy Lagueux, used her public comment time to question the number of items being tabled at recent meetings. She said the pattern feels unusual. “It’s just weird to be tabling things,” she said.
The Council did not respond directly to the comments during the meeting, as is customary during public input, but the concerns raised by multiple residents underscored growing frustration with the tone and productivity of recent sessions.