LONDONDERRY — Nearly 20 residents gathered along Mammoth Road Friday afternoon to protest what they described as a lack of transparency by the Town Council following its controversial firing of Town Manager Shaun Mulholland.
The Sept. 25 rally, held across from the Town Common from 4 to 6 p.m., peaked at about 19 participants around 5 p.m. Protesters of varying ages carried signs criticizing the council and calling for greater transparency in town government.
The protest came four days after the Town Council voted 3-2 to fire Mulholland following months of investigations, legal disputes and increasingly contentious council meetings. Council Chair Ron Dunn, Vice Chair Shawn Faber and Councilor Ted Combes voted for Mulholland’s removal, while Councilors Dan Bouchard and Deb Paul opposed it. Police Chief Kim Bernard was subsequently appointed acting town manager for up to 120 days.
Dunn said at the Sept. 21 meeting that the council had received multiple complaints involving Mulholland and cited several reasons for seeking his removal, including alleged failure to follow council directives, disclosure of attorney-client privileged material and interference with an investigation. Bouchard and Paul objected to the process and said they had not been given adequate time or information before the vote.
Dunn has defended the council’s handling of the matter, saying the confidentiality surrounding the investigations was necessary to preserve attorney-client privilege and protect their integrity. At the Sept. 21 meeting, Dunn accused Mulholland of defying council directives, improperly disclosing privileged material and obstructing an investigation into complaints against him. Faber also said there were additional reasons for Mulholland’s dismissal involving confidential personnel matters that could not be publicly disclosed.
Many townspeople aren’t buying it. Former Planning Board member and Town Councilor Mark Oswald was among the first to arrive at Friday’s protest, carrying a “Down with Dunn” sign.
“I’m disappointed with the lack of transparency of our Town Council,” Oswald said. “I think they’re making a lot of hasty decisions and there’s no evidence to support the decisions they’re making.”
Other protesters carried signs reading “Shame” and “Demand Transparency. Stop Wasting Our $$$,” while another displayed Dunn’s name crossed out.
Resident Russ Lagueux carried signs reading “Blame Ted Combes” and “Explore Former Councilors.” He said he has been following the actions of Dunn, Faber and Combes closely since the beginning of the year and is concerned about the direction of the council.
Among the issues raised by protesters were the town’s growing legal expenses. Mulholland warned the council in July that Londonderry had already exceeded its legal budget for fiscal 2026 and that, if spending continued at its then-current pace, legal expenses could more than double the amount budgeted. The council had also retained separate outside counsel for charter and governance issues amid the investigations and disputes involving the town manager.
Questions surrounding those investigations had been a source of controversy well before Mulholland’s firing. Mulholland publicly called for greater disclosure about their status in July, while Dunn maintained that confidentiality was necessary to protect the integrity of the investigations. A lawsuit seeking the release of investigation-related records under the state’s Right-to-Know Law was filed in Superior Court earlier this month.
Several protesters Friday also questioned whether the council had the authority to fire Mulholland on a 3-2 vote.
Oswald said he believes the Town Charter requires four council votes to remove the town manager. The council, however, relied on a legal opinion that state law permits removal by a simple majority and supersedes the charter provision.
The legal opinion cited, among other authority, the New Hampshire Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in City of Manchester v. Secretary of State, which found in a different municipal-charter dispute that state law requiring action by a simple majority could preempt a locally imposed supermajority requirement.
Other residents at the rally focused less on the legal dispute and more on Mulholland’s performance as town manager.
“Shaun Mulholland really raised the bar,” said resident Esther Hiatt said.
Paul and Mulholland’s wife, Diane, arrived at the protest around 4:30 p.m. and spoke with several participants. Both declined to comment when asked about the controversy.
Traffic was heavy along Mammoth Road during portions of the rally, and several passing motorists sounded their horns as they passed the protesters.
Lagueux said he hoped the demonstration would make more residents aware of the controversy surrounding the council.
“A lot of people already know,” he said, “but more still need to know.”
Participants said the rally was organized through social media, although those interviewed said they did not know who originated the event or whether it had a formal organizer.
The local Town Underground website also promoted the gathering as a “Rally in Solidarity,” encouraging residents to bring signs and demand greater transparency from the council.
Several protesters said they planned to continue raising their concerns at the next Town Council meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 5, in the Council Chambers.