Merrimack Rejects $72.3M School Budget

MERRIMACK, NH - Voters in Merrimack went to the polls on April 12, 2016, and elected two town councilors, approved budgets and charter warrants, and also, rejected one budget, according to returns from both the town and school district.

Town ballot

According to Diane Tippett, the town clerk, 1,895 ballots were cast on the town ballot and Jackie Flood and Daniel Dwyer were elected to the Merrimack Town Council, besting James Ferreira by hundreds of votes.

Ferreira, however, was elected to the town’s Ethics Committee by five write-in votes as was Chuck Mower, according to the returns.

Fran L’Heureux won a write-in race for Supervisor of the Checklist with 412 votes over Jennifer Heinrich, who received 70 votes.

Richard Barnes was uncontested for Library Trustee while Chris Christensen was uncontested for Trustee of the Trust Funds.

Voters approved a higher town operating budget – nearly $34.3 million – by 113 votes. Voters also approved new town labor wage contracts. The creation of a recreation revolving fund, and a proposed charter amendment for the Library Trustees, allowing town councilors to appoint board members when members are temporarily unable to attend a board meeting, were also approved by overwhelming margins.

School ballot

According to results posted online by Patricia Heinrich, the school district clerk, voters in Merrimack rejected a nearly $72.3 million school budget by 73 votes, meaning the the district will run next with a default budget of slightly less than $71.5 million.

Voters also approved articles allowing the school board should accept gifts for the school district as well as labor contracts and capital reserve funds. The Merrimack Teachers Association contract – between $750,714 and $764,605 in annual raises and benefits increases during the next three years – was approved by 59 votes.

Michael Thompson and Shannon Barnes were elected to the school board. Gage Perry and Stanley Heinrich were elected for planning and building, Carol Lang and Stanley Heinrich for budget, Lynn Christensen for moderator, Patricia Heinrich for clerk, and Richard Hastings for district treasurer.