Merrimack Voters Reject Budget; Athletic Field Nixed; More

MERRIMACK, NH — Voters in Merrimack go to the polls on April 9 to make decisions about town and school budgets as well as political positions, warrant articles, and other issues.

Editor’s Note: Voters raised concerns about the wording of School Article 7, which appeared one way in the school journal and another way on the ballot. According to school officials, the language of the Article in the book was the old language forwarded by the petitioner. The language was amended at the town’s deliberative session to what was on the ballot. Officials believe there was an oversight when updating the language in the book.

Here are the unofficial election results.

Town Races, Info

Town Council (three, 3-years)

Tom Koenig 2,711

Nancy Harrington 2,659

Nancy Murphy 2,343

Charles Lafond 1,214

Ethics Committee (one, 3-year)

Heather Robitaille 2,358

Charles Lafond 876

Library Trustee (two)

Janet Krupp 2,776

Molly Mortimer 2,664

Library Trustee (one)

William Wilkes 2,919

Town Moderator

Brian McCarthy 2,982

Town Clerk/Tax Collector

Brenda Dulong 3,078

Supervisor of the Checklist (one, 6-year position)

Margie Petrovic 2,415

Max Abramson 810

Article 2: A charter amendment to allow a non-voting student representative, recommended by the school board and appointed by the town council, to sit on the conservation commission. Yes: 2,879, No: 840

Article 3: $266,338 to develop the final design plans for stormwater and infrastructure at Baboosic Lake (Pine Knoll Shores) drainage study (three-fifths vote required). Yes: 2,558 No: 1,490

Article 4: $39.8 million town budget or a default budget of $38.5 million. Yes: 1,973 No: 2,101

Article 5: $2.25 million in trust and capital reserve funds. Yes: 2,278 No: 1,742

Article 6: $550,000 for the sewer infrastructure capital reserve fund. Yes: 2,718 No: 1,319

Article 7: Collective bargaining agreement with police, NEPBA Local 12. Yes: 2,699 No: 1,465

Article 8: Collective bargaining agreement with police, NEPBA Local 112. Yes: 2,754 No: 1,402

Article 9: Collective bargaining agreement with wastewater, highway, and other employees, Teamsters Local 633. Yes: 2,525 No: 1,625

Article 10: Merrimack Community Choice Aggregation Plan (electricity). Yes: 2,600 No: 1,385

Article 11: $1 million to develop an athletic field on Pearson Road. Yes: 1,789 No: 2,348

Article 12: Requesting the Merrimack police to maintain “fair and impartial” policing practices. Yes: 3,188 No: 1,208

Editor’s Note: Patch had not received the school results at the post time and were not posted online on the district website. This post will be updated with the school results when they become available.

School Info, Races

School Board (two, 3-year seats)

Emily Rosher Boutin

Jenna Hardy

Lori Peters

Heather Robitaille

Anthony Santoriello

Planning And Building Committee (two, 3-year seats)

Michael Alukonis

Kaitlyn Kelly Bernier

Richard Hendricks

Anthony Santoriello

Budget Committee (four, 3-year budget seats)

Shayne Albuquerque

Marie Berry

Joanne Grobecker

Sara Locke

MacKenzie Murphy

Anthony Santoriello

Brian Trant

Ellen Wilson

Budget Committee (two, 2-year seats)

Kaitlyn Kelly Bernier

Angela Brown

Tiffney Castellucci-Trant

Cinda Guagliumi

Shannon Rand

Kaitlyn Sweetser

Budget Committee (one, 1-year seat)

Rachel Paepke

Article 2: $4.8 million for the construction and original equipping of a new central office.

Article 3: Acceptance of gifts, real property, and other items.

Article 4: Merrimack Educational Support Staff Association salary increases.

Article 5: If Article 4 is defeated, authorize the school board to call a special meeting.

Article 6: $797,000 for a new roof on the James Mastricola Elementary and Upper Elementary schools.

Article 7: Advise the district to develop a curriculum enabling students to fulfill their educational potential.

Article 8: $93.3 million budget or a default budget of $91.3 million.

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