By Jordan J. Phelan
Staff Writer
The following are some of the results from Tuesday’s Town Meeting elections in New Hampshire.
Close races in CharlestownVoters in Charlestown elected two new members to the town’s selectboard in a tight race.
Shelly Blouin-Andrus and Jeremy C. Wood were both selected to serve in the two three-year term seats after receiving 310 and 268 votes each, respectively. Nancy Houghto came with 264 votes and John W. Streeter, who currently serves on the Charlestown Selectboard, received 171 votes.
In another competitive contest, newcomer Alissa Bascom and alternate Patricia Chaffee were selected for the planning board with 425 and 326 votes each, respectively. Rose Smith-Hull, who currently serves as an alternate on the board, received 186 votes.
On the Silsby Library Board of Trustees, voters re-elected Judith Baraly to serve another three-year term along with newcomer Diane Town. Karen Haskell, who also ran for the position, received 24.5% of the total vote.
In the cemetery department, Dennis Piper defeated incumbent Gerard Kilyk for the position of trustee with 351 votes.
In uncontested elections, Patricia Royce was selected for the position of trustee of trust funds for a three-year term. Michelle Snide was voted in to serve as treasurer for a three-year term. Patricia Chaffee, who was also elected to the position of planning board member, was selected for one of the three open three-year term finance committee seats along with David Richardson, while Trina Royce was elected to serve the two-year finance committee position with 527 votes.
Newport passes school budgetNewport voters overwhelmingly approved of the proposed $19.2 million school budget on Tuesday as 89% of those who cast their ballot were in favor of the measure in an election that saw narrow vote margins on a number of articles.
Voters disapproved of the proposed two-year contract for the school district’s support staff and a request to take $40,000 from a capital reserve fund to acquire a bus.
However, Newport did approve of the school board to use their discretion with unanticipated revue accumulated during the year by a mere three votes.
Plainfield elects Lappin to selectboardVoters in Plainfield selected Amy Lappin, with 431 votes, to serve on the selectboard over Dennis Girouard, who received 145 votes.
On the school board end, incumbent Mary Houde and Jordan Green each received more than 400 votes to secure both open seats. Girouard, who also ran for the school board, received 160 votes.
The town and school budgets, as well as a proposal for a new library, will be held in June.
Canaan votes down historic district articleVoters in Canaan rejected a zoning ordinance proposed by the planning board that would have dictated what types of buildings are permitted in the Canaan Historic District, which is located along part of Canaan Street. The selectboard had come out against the measure prior to the vote, which finished with 327 against and 204 in favor.
For the lone three-year term selectboard seat, Dan Collins took the race with 244 votes. Canaan Selectboard member Al Posnanski accumulated 208 votes.
Springfield elects Lewis to selectboardSpringfield voters elected Amy Donegan Lewis to serve a three-year term seat on the selectboard on Tuesday with 158 votes. Lewis defeated George McCusker, who received a total of 52 votes.
For the zoning board, Cody Patten and Tanner Jacques were both elected to two three-year terms with 162 and 153 votes each, respectively. Thomas Greenhalge received 71 votes.
The second portion of Town Meeting in which warrant articles will be voted on will be held on Saturday, March 13, at 9:30 a.m. at the Springfield Fire Station.
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