It is the purpose of this chapter to implement the home rule powers recognized by part I, article 39 of the constitution of the state of New Hampshire by providing an outline of optional forms of town government which may be adopted by any municipality pursuant to the process and restrictions set forth in RSA 49-B. It is the intent of the general court to recognize that while the pressures of growth, demand for services and complexity of governmental issues may compel citizens to consider alternative forms of governance of towns, which forms have the same or similar structural appearance and powers traditionally found in cities, that the preservation of a community’s unique sociological and cultural heritage and history as a town be encouraged by the provision of the optional forms of town government described in this chapter.
Source. 1991, 304:11, eff. Aug. 23, 1991.