City manager outlines schedule to fill two school-board vacancies; RHA commissioner slot opens

City Manager told the Rochester City Council workshop on July 15 that the school board and superintendent had requested the mayor seek formal action to declare two school-board seats vacant, triggering a schedule for appointment. "At your August 5 regular meeting, that vote, will be coming before you for the city council to formally declare those seats vacant," the City Manager said. The City Manager outlined the subsequent steps: the City Clerk would post the vacancies, the city would accept statements of interest with a deadline of 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 19, interviews would be scheduled during the Aug. 19 workshop, and the council would vote on appointments at its Sept. 2 regular meeting.

The City Manager also reported that a recognition scheduled for Janet Davis would create a vacancy on the Rochester Housing Authority (RHA), and explained RHA's status and appointment process. "RHA's commissioners serve on a 5 member board, and full terms are for 5 years," the City Manager said, noting that while RHA is a nonprofit it is established under New Hampshire RSA 203 and that the city manager appoints commissioners. The manager said vacancies are to be filled by submitting a statement of interest to the City Clerk's office.

Discussion: city manager described procedural timeline; councilors asked to receive the manager's notes for review ahead of August. Direction: staff to post vacancies and to accept statements of interest following the August 5 council action. Decision: no appointments made at the workshop; council will act at the August 5 and Sept. 2 meetings as described.

Next steps: City Clerk to post vacancies after the Aug. 5 vote, accept statements through 9 a.m. Aug. 19, conduct interviews during the Aug. 19 workshop and hold an appointment vote on Sept. 2.