Springfield voters say ‘no’ to pre-K classrooms, school budget

By Layla Burke Hastings
and Jordan J. Phelan
[email protected]
A list of nearby Town Meeting Day results as reported to The Eagle Times:

Chester

Voters on Town Meeting Day elected nine officials to 11 positions on Tuesday while two seats — agent to defend suits and town grand juror — remain unfilled.

Elected officials: William Dakin Jr. (town moderator), Deborah Aldrich (town clerk and town treasurer), Arne Jonynas (three-year term selectperson), Leigh Dakin (one-year term selectperson), Jeff Holden (one-year term selectperson), Colleen Garvey (three-year term trustee of public funds and three-year term trustee of Whiting Library), Donna Matthews (three-year term trustee of Whiting Library), Rick Alexander (three-year term Green Mountain Unified School District director), and Jeannie Wade (three-year term Green Mountain Unified School District director).

Contested races results: Chester’s Selectboard now has one new councilor. Incumbents Leigh Dakin and Arne Jonynas were re-elected to the selectboard while newcomer Jeff Holden was elected to his first term.

Town and school articles: Town Article II regarding the allocation of $157,500 to purchase a backhoe for the Highway Department was passed by a vote of 498 to 90. River Valley Technical Center School District Article I regarding the allocation of $2.98 million to cover current expenses for the ensuing fiscal year was passed by a vote of 677 to 206. Green Mountain Unified School District Article II regarding the $14.1 million school budget was passed by a vote of 957 to 573.

Presidential primary results: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won the Democratic presidential primary in Chester with 52.16% of the vote. President Donald J. Trump won the Republican presidential primary in Chester with 91% of the vote.

Rockingham

The Rockingham Selectboard will look the same for at least the next year as all incumbents were successfully re-elected on Town Meeting Day.

Elected officials: L. Raymond Massucco (town moderator and town agent and Rockingham school moderator), Susan Hammond (three-year term selectperson), Stefan Golec (one-year term selectperson), Ben Masure (one-year term selectperson), Paul Noble (lister), Mary Shepard (trustee of public library), Brady Weinstock (trustee of public library), and Duane Whitehead (trustee of public library), Brenda Farkas (BFUHS #27 school director), and Deborah Wright (BFUHS #27 school director).

Contested races results: Two sitting incumbents — Stefan Golec and Ben Masure — were re-elected to the position of selectperson on the Rockingham Selectboard for a one-year term, edging out Michele Ohayon. Sitting incumbent Susan Hammond was re-elected to the position of selectperson on the Rockingham Selectboard for a three-year term, edging out Stefan Golec and Ben Masure.

Town and school articles: River Valley Technical Center School District Article I regarding the allocation of $2.98 million to cover current expenses for the ensuing fiscal year was passed by a vote of 753 to 237. Rockingham Town School District Article IV regarding the $10.88 million school budget was passed by a vote of 619 to 381. BFUHS #27 Article V regarding the $7.28 million school budget was passed by a vote of 663 to 338.

Presidential primary results: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won the Democratic presidential primary in Rockingham with 56.96% of the vote. President Donald J. Trump won the Republican presidential primary in Rockingham with 81.87% of the vote.

Springfield

Three articles were voted down by Springfield residents on Town Meeting Day while incumbents on the selectboard were re-elected.

Elected officials: Larry Kraft (town moderator and town school district moderator), Michael Martin (three-year term selectperson), Kristi Morris (three-year term selectperson), Patti Kemp (school director), Kristin Durand (library trustee), Greg Supernovich (library trustee), Pattrice Jones (library trustee), Marc Aube (trustee of public funds), Jane Waysville (trustee of public funds), Cathryn Feickert (cemetery commissioner), Gerald Patch (cemetery commissioner), Stephen Ankuda (town agent), David Coleman (lister), and Paul Stagner (first constable).

Contested races results: Two sitting incumbents — Michael Martin and Kristi Morris — were re-elected to the position of selectperson on the Springfield Selectboard, edging out former police chief and political newcomer Doug Johnston.

Town and school articles: Town Article X regarding the allocation of $278,000 for improvements to Comtu Cascade Park was not passed by a vote of 1,046 to 1,178. Town Article XIV regarding the $32.65 million school budget was not passed by a vote of 1,052 to 1,195. Town Article XV regarding the allocation of $125,333 to set up two full day, full year pre-K classrooms was not passed by a vote of 980 to 1,254. All other articles were approved by voters.

Presidential primary results: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won the Democratic presidential primary in Springfield with 50.7% of the vote. President Donald J. Trump won the Republican presidential primary in Springfield with 89.4% of the vote.

Windsor

Windsor voters approved all 20 warning articles placed before them on Town Meeting Day.

Elected officials: Kate Williams (town moderator), Chris Goulet (three-year term selectperson), and Amanda Smith (two-year term selectperson).

Contested races results: In the sole contested race for a three-year term seat on the Windsor Selectboard, Chris Goulet edged out Eric Saltonstall.

Town and school articles: All 20 of the town articles placed on the Windsor ballot Tuesday were passed by large margins, including Town Article XXVI regarding the $5.38 million budget. New agency appropriations were $5,000 for Rachel’s Kitchen, $3,000 for the Windsor Historical Society, and $10,000 for the Windsor Library Capital Fund.

Presidential primary results: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won the Democratic presidential primary in Windsor with 56.53% of the vote. President Donald J. Trump won the Republican presidential primary in Windsor with 88.4% of the vote.