Lyons, Azarian Win Selectmen Seats in Salem

SALEM, NH — Voters in Salem went to the polls on March 18, 2017, in the town’s postponed election, and sent one incumbent and one newcomer to serve on the Board of Selectmen, according to unofficial results. Incumbent Mike Lyons easily topped the ticket with 1,428 votes. Gary Azarian came in second to earn a seat with 1,206.

Three other candidates – Mike Phillips (527), Patrick Bick (494), and Adam Frederick (305) – all trailed far behind the victors.

In the Budget Committee race, Thomas Plante (1,008) and Steven Goddu (928) both won seats while Sean Lewis (776) came in third and Kenneth Tarara came in fourth (629).

Susan Wall was uncontested for town clerk while Cheryl-Ann Bolouk was uncontested for collector, John Sytek was uncontested for treasurer, Kathleen North was uncontested for library trustee, and Russell Frydryck was uncontested for trustee of trust funds.

For Planning Board, Bev Donovan and Bob Gibbs easily won the two seats while David Mulry and Robert Uttley trailed behind.

For two ZBA seats, Bernard Campbell and Jeffrey Hatch both bested Uttley by hundreds of votes.

Questions

Voters in Salem approved an article to allow charitable gaming as permitted, a change accessory apartment requirement, the senior housing overlay district, but rejected a modification of large scale redevelopment ordinance by a slim 73 votes. Voters also approved a revised conditional use for wetlands – by 28 votes – and adopted 2015 NFPA fire code standards and life safety standards.

Other articles approved included the Depot intersection land acquisition, the wastewater/storm water management plan, road construction and engineering program, and the town’s operating budget.

Voters also approved contract agreements, fund transfers, and easements, and the veterans tax credit proposal.

Schools

On the school side, Bernard Campbell ran unopposed for a single school board seat.

The school district’s budget was approved as were four union contracts.

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