Londonderry voters rejected two separate warrant articles on the March Town ballot that would have added staffing to the town’s Human Resources Department, signaling that residents were not ready to expand the department despite arguments from town officials that additional support is needed.
The first article asked voters whether to approve a part time Human Resources assistant whose role would be to provide administrative support to the department. The position would have cost $44,812, with an estimated tax impact of $0.006, and, if approved, would have become part of both the operating and default budgets in future years.
Town Manager Shaun Mulholland told voters that the position was intended to help manage the growing workload associated with employee benefits. “This is a huge issue,” he said, noting that the town must manage benefits for both retirees and an expanding active workforce. Human Resources Director Tara Koza added that she and the HR Administrator are spending significant time on administrative tasks that could be delegated, allowing them to focus on higher level responsibilities and improving overall departmental efficiency.
The Town Council voted 2–3 against recommending the article, with Councilors Ted Combes and Vice Chair Shawn Faber supporting it. Voters ultimately rejected the proposal by a wide margin, 2,884 to 1,536.
The second warrant article sought to create a part time Human Resources specialist at a cost of $58,218. The position would have assisted with workplace accident investigations, employee background checks, and internal investigations, tasks that town officials said are increasingly necessary as the town grows and employment regulations become more complex.
Mulholland explained that the Police Department is currently the only department conducting thorough background checks, as required by law, and that other town employees are not vetted to the same standard. “We do not do that for anybody else, any other employee of the Town,” he said. He warned that failing to properly vet employees can lead to costly consequences if issues arise after hiring. He also noted that having an in house staffer conduct internal investigations would be significantly less expensive than hiring outside firms.
As with the first article, the Town Council voted 2–3 against recommending the measure, with Combes and Faber again in support. Voters rejected the article by an even larger margin than the first, 3,143 to 1,267.
The results reflect a clear message from residents: despite the town’s arguments about workload, risk management, and long term cost savings, voters were not convinced that expanding the HR Department was necessary at this time. Both positions would have become permanent parts of the town’s budget, a point that likely weighed heavily on voters amid broader concerns about municipal spending.
Town officials have not yet indicated whether they will revisit the proposals in future budget cycles, but the discussion is expected to continue as staffing pressures and compliance requirements evolve.