Salem Approves Town-Wide Communications System, Keno

SALEM, NH — Thousands of voters went to the poll today, despite a blizzard, to vote in the town’s annual election. There were a number of competitive races in 2018. In the Board of Selectmen’s race, Robert Bryant and James Keller – 1,174 and 1,100 votes, respectively – were easily elected to the two seats with Steve Boyd trailing behind with 777 votes.

Eight residents ran for three Budget Committee seats this year. Paul Huard, Peter Edgerly, and Sean Lewis, won, according to the unofficial results. Michael Mackey, Patrick McDougall, Terrence Scanlon, William Carino, and Dane Hoover also ran.

In the Trustee of the Trust Funds race, Teressa Holland bested both Barry Pietrantonio and Carol Houle by 12 votes – 521 to 509 and 509.

Keith Belair easily won a Planning Board seat with 1,120 votes while Paul Pelletier bested Michael Banks for the second seat by 19 votes, 931 to 912.

In the ZBA race, Michael Smith and George Perry early won two seats with John Manning placing third (1,030 to 917 to 770).

The town also approved all of the warrant articles on the ballot including amending a senior housing overlay district, revising restrictions on retail stores and restaurants west of I-93, a sewer bond, a town-wide communications system, and its operating budget.

Keno was also approved by a nearly three-to-one margin.

In the school board race, Michael Carney Jr. and Pamela Berry won with 1,218 and 1,131 votes with Kelly Moss receiving 946 votes.

Voters also approved the school district’s operating budget and also increases for the school board and the SEA.

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