The information contained in this article is not intended as legal advice and may no longer be accurate due to changes in the law. Consult NHMA's legal services or your municipal attorney.
Welcome to the summer edition of Town & City!
The 2026 legislative session officially ended June 4. There were many wins for municipal government this year—although, unfortunately, so many of those wins were defeats of bills that would have hurt local government operations or further eroded local decision-making. Keep an eye out for NHMA’s Final Legislative Bulletin in late August or September, which details all the municipal-related bills that become law. You can also watch the Legislative Roundup
webinar on June 25.
Next year is the start of a new biennium—which means a new state budget. It also means that NHMA will have a new set of member-adopted Legislative Policies and Principles. The NHMA legislative policy committees completed their work in May, and the Legislative Policy Conference, where municipalities can vote on the proposed policies and principles, will take place on September 11. You can find more details on our website; make sure your municipality sends a delegate!
Of course, summer also means that NHMA’s fall training is right around the corner. Local officials can participate in NHMA’s Academy for Good Governance, Budget & Finance Workshop, and NHMA’s Annual Conference—just to name a few. You can check out all our events on our website.
And finally, in case you weren’t aware, July also marks the end of my incredible ride at NHMA. I announced in May that, after nearly 12 years with NHMA, my last day will be July 17. I’ve spent most of my professional career at NHMA and learned everything I know about leadership, advocacy, and policy; met and worked with incredible people; and grown as a person and a professional. It’s even because of this job that I met my husband: a “meet cute” at the legislature, now that’s what I call romantic!
It’s time for me to move onto my next adventure: CEO & President of CASA of NH, an organization I’ve volunteered with for many years. The transition and hiring process for NHMA’s next Executive Director is well underway. Sarah Burke Cohen, one of NHMA’s legislative advocates, will serve as interim director until a new executive director is in place. I’m not only confident our board and staff will ensure the next director is an exceptional fit, but I’m also truly excited for whomever that person may be.
There are so many things I love about local government: the collective power of regular people, a spirit of volunteerism, and nonpartisan problem-solving, to name a few. And though it will be in a different capacity, I will take those same values and beliefs with me in my new role, working with incredible volunteers from across the state who also believe in the power of community, volunteerism, and strong advocacy.
So, what can I say, other than thank you?
Thank you to the staff for their commitment to the organization, their humor, and their support of me—including letting me know when I might not have it right!
Thank you to the members, without whom there would be no organization, and for your support, advocacy, and commitment to your communities; you are the backbone of this state.
And thank you to the board of directors, who, back in 2019, took a chance on me, and gave me the opportunity to be the organization’s next leader. All the success in my career flows from that one decision; and so, no matter where I go from here, it will always be true, for me, that it all started with local government.
See you around the state!