WINDHAM — The town is leaving the Rockingham Planning Commission in favor of the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission.

Board consensus on Oct. 22 said that the decision was an easy one.

“There’s a much better synergy with Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission than, I think, with our current affiliation with Rockingham,” said Selectman Phil LoChiatto.

He made a motion to begin the process of changing affiliations based on the fit and the fact the town will save $3,000 annually. Dues for Rockingham Planning Commission in 2013 would cost $11,000 while Southern New Hampshire in only $8,000.

The Rockingham Planning Commission will receive a letter regarding the town’s decision and a petition will be sent to the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning to set the process in motion.

“It’s been a good collaboration but I think things have changed with I-93,” DiFruscia said. “The demographics have changed and for Windham I think at this point, going with Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission is more in keeping with our town.”

Selectman Kathleen DiFruscia thanked the RPC for its good work over the years.

Talk of switching planning commissions began in June. Selectmen and representatives from the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Conservation Commission, and other town boards met with the Rockingham Planning Commission, the Nashua Regional Planning Commission and the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission throughout the summer and provided comments to the Board of Selectmen.

Windham sits near the end of the Rockingham Planning Commission area and is connected to the 26 other member towns mainly through Salem. The Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission includes Londonderry and Derry, as well as Manchester, Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Chester, Deerfield, Goffstown, Hooksett, New Boston, Raymond, and Weare.

- - - - - - - -