A resident is seeking polices to make Peterborough a more-welcoming and accommodating community.
Amanda Allen moved to Peterborough in 2019, and presented six steps at Tuesday’s Select Board meeting that she would like to see become part of town policy and procedure. Her proposals include a requirement that the town provide employee training on “respectful treatment” during public interactions, designating a liaison to whom the public could address concerns, an articulated public restroom policy, establishing a “Committee for Inclusive Governance” and an annual review of relevant municipal policies and practices to assure “fairness for all.”
The proposal also requests that no town funds be used in a manner as to result in “unfair treatment of any individual or group.”
Town Administrator Nicole MacStay pointed out that a number of articles and policies in the employee handbook and other town documents set forth rules and policies that articulate the sentiments Allen put forth.
“The current policy statement (of the town) is not dissimilar to these proposals,” said MacStay, who showed sections from the town code book and a policy adopted in 2017 which directs that town business to be conducted without discrimination and with fairness, and that no consideration be given to “race, sex, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.” MacStay added that Peterborough Fire & Rescue Chief Ed Walker is already serving as the town’s civil rights liaison.
“The language of the past is not strong enough to protect people now so they can feel secure,” said Allen.
Select Board Chair Tyler Ward said, “The House and Senate in our own state are attacking certain demographics,” and resident Sue Martin said that she had a petition signed by a number of individuals in support of Allen’s proposals.
MacStay said that the town will study Allen’s proposed steps in more detail and look at existing policies, noting that certain matters are Select Board business while others must be submitted to Town Meeting.
With state legislation on Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s desk that runs counter to Peterborough’s policy regarding police cooperation with federal authorities on immigration enforcement, board members agreed to seek the input of the town’s legal counsel in the event that the legislation becomes law.
MacStay said, “(Ayotte) has indicated she supports” New Hampshire House Bill 511 and Senate Bill 62, which would compel local authorities to comply with federal policies and forbid ignoring such directives.
In a March Select Board meeting following an ICE raid at the Mi Jalisco Mexican restaurant in late February, MacStay cited a policy that town employees “shall not inquire into the immigration status of an individual except when the inquiry relates to legitimate law enforcement purpose that is unrelated to the enforcement of a civil immigration law, or as required by state or federal law to verify eligibility for benefit, service or license conditioned on the (status).”
At the same meeting, Police Chief Scott Guinard said that pursuant to the policy, the Peterborough Police Department would not be involved in immigration detention. Guinard has said that he was notified of the raid, but Peterborough officers did not participate.