Salem 2023 Town And School Election Voter’s Guide

SALEM, NH — Voters in Salem go to the polls on March 14 to make decisions about town and school budgets, political positions, warrant articles, and other issues.

Here is what you need to know.

Voting

Voting will occur from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, at five locations:

District 1, Fisk School, 14 Main St.

District 2, Soule School, 173 South Policy St.

District 3, Barron School, 55 Butler St.

District 4, Ingram Senior Center, 1 Sally Sweets Way.

District 6, North Salem School, 140 Zion Hill Road.

Find your polling location by street here. A map can be found here.

Town Races, Info

Voters in town have several competitive races:

Five candidates are running for two three-year board of selectmen seats: Daniel Guild, Paul Pelletier, Cathy Stacey, Joe Sweeney, and Jaime Thornock.

Steven Goddu and Tanya Donnelly are running for two three-year seats on the budget committee.

Susan Wall is unopposed for town clerk.

Martha Breen is unopposed for tax collector.

John Sytek is unopposed for treasurer.

Christopher George is unopposed for a single one-year library trustee seat.

Two candidates are seeking a single three-year seat for library trustee: Kathleen Norton and Anthony Conte.

Richard O’Shaughnessy and Christopher George are running for a single three-year trustee of the trust funds seat.

For planning board, Bianca Carlson, Luanne David, and Joseph Feole are competing for two three-year seats.

Four candidates are also running for two three-year ZBA seats: Jeffrey Hatch, Claire Karibian, Brian Thornock, and Dionne Garon.

Here is a link to the candidate forum.

Voters will also consider a new charter as proposed by the charter commission, which includes changing from a five-member board of selectmen to a nine-member town council; allowing the council to vote on zoning amendments without voter approval; the creation of an ethics committee; and improved civic communication. If approved, $11,200 will be needed to fund a special election for town council at a later date.

Voters will also consider a $65.4 million operating budget with a $62.9 million default budget as well as funds for clean water, recreation, more money for police and fire, a new roof at the district court, $3.8 million in road and engineering expenses, and union contracts.

There is also a petition to hand count paper ballots.

Find more town election information linked here.

School Info, Races

Bernie Campbell is running unopposed for school board.

Voters will consider an $87 million school budget with an $85.9 million default budget.

Voters will also consider union contracts.

Warrant article video information for SAU 57 is linked here.

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