The City of Manchester Charter Commission has filed its preliminary report of suggested changes to the City Charter.  The report was submitted to the City Clerk on April 25, 2013, and will be forwarded to the Secretary of State, Department of Revenue Administration and Attorney General for their review.  Below is a summary of the changes being suggested:

• Increase the number of terms that an appointed board or commission member can serve from two three-year terms to four three-year terms
• Change the mayor’s salary from $68,000 to $100,000, effective January 1, 2014
• Make the Commissioner of Welfare position an appointed department head position rather than elected
• Create conflict of interest procedures for members of boards, commissions and authorities
• Increase the number of election postings from three to eight, 30 days before both a primary and general municipal election
• Institute fines of $100 for the first day and $10 for each additional day if financial disclosure reports are not filed
• Set the aldermanic stipend at $9,000 and the school board stipend at $7,000 and eliminate their eligibility to receive benefits allotted to full time employees
• To file as a candidate or hold elective office, a person must be a resident of the city for at least one year
• Remove the provision that allows the budget approval process to extend out to June 30^th; the budget must be completed by the second Tuesday in June

A complete preliminary report can be found here.  Copies are also available at the City Clerk's Office.

The City Clerk's Office will be joining the Friends of the Manchester Animal Shelter at the Annual Rabies & Microchip Clinic on Saturday, March 23, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The clinic will be held at the Veterinary Emergency Center located at 336 Abby Road in Manchester.

Join us to conveniently renew your 2013 dog license with the City of Manchester and receive discounted rates on rabies and distemper immunizations for $10.00 or a microchip for your favorite pooch for only $25.00.

Official results are now available for the Special Non-Partisan Municipal Election to elect nine representatives for the City Charter Commission and to fill the vacancy in the office of Ward 11 Alderman.

Official results for the State General Election will be available from the Secretary of State upon certification.

Official election results are now available for the Special Non-Partisan Municipal Election held on September 11, 2012.  As required by City Charter, municipal voters in all twelve wards were asked: "Shall a Charter Commission be established for the purpose of revising the municipal charter or establishing a new municipal charter?" 

The City Clerk will now request that the Board of Mayor and Aldermen set a date and time of a Special Municipal Election to elect nine Manchester residents to serve on this Charter Commission.  Details regarding the special election and  the process to file a Declaration of Candidacy form will be available on September 19, 2012 by visiting our website or calling the office at 624-6455.

Voters in Ward 11 also selected two candidates from a field of four to appear on a special general election ballot.  The candidate receiving the most votes will fill the current vacancy and remainder of the term for Ward 11 alderman.

Our website now features a Voter Identification Explanatory Document and a summary of 2012 election laws.  We have also received absentee ballots for the State Primary Election to be held on September 11, 2012.  For all election information, please visit our Voter Registration and Elections page or call us directly at 624-6455.

The Board of Mayor & Aldermen voted on July 26, 2012 to initiate the election process to fill the Aldermanic vacancy in ward 11.  The filing period for ward 11 residents interested in becoming a candidate for the office of alderman will open at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 30, 2012 and conclude at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 10, 2012.  A notarized, Declaration of Candidacy form must be submitted to the City Clerk prior to the close of the filing period deadline.

This Ward 11 Special Non-Partisan Municipal Election has been set for Tuesday, September 11, 2012 to coincide with the State Primary Election.  Once the filing period closes, if two candidates or fewer have filed for office, a primary election will be declared unnecessary and the September 11, 2012 special election will serve as the general election.  The candidate receiving the most votes from the voters of ward 11 shall immediately serve the remainder of the unexpired term (officially ending on January 6, 2014).

If ward 11 residents have any questions or concerns about this special election process, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 624-6455 or visit our Elections page for more information.