By Nathan Duke
Staff Writer

Early morning voters line up at Goffstown High School to cast their ballots on Tuesday, March 8. About 22 percent of registered voters braved snowy conditions to decide on town and school issues. (Gerry Descoteaux Photo)

Goffstown will be getting a new kindergarten, but not a new form of government after voters passed the land transfer article that will help determine sites for the new school and voted down the proposed charter.

Residents voted 1803-581 to authorize the school district to accept gifts of property from the town that could secure new land for the new kindergarten to be built on.

Article 5 on the school ballot has been the biggest issue for voters on this year’s school ballot. The proposal for a new kindergarten passed in last year’s election and, this year, the town’s school board has been investigating sites for the school’s location.

“I’m elated that the voters of Goffstown overwhelmingly voted for (the land transfer),” said school board member Scott Gross. “It sent a message that the community finally wants to build this school. I’d like to thank all the voters for supporting it.”

Currently, the 58-acre Glen Lake property is where the school is being proposed to be built. The parcel was bought by the town in 1974 and has been left undeveloped.

The estimated cost for the school is $3.3 million, 75 percent of which will be paid for through state aid.

Articles 3 and 4 – key issues in this year’s election to residents with children in elementary school and school officials – were passed, allowing future studies and construction on Bartlett Elementary School, whose student body has far outgrown its facilities.

Gross praised voters for their support on the school warrants.

“I’m happy that voters supported all of the school articles,” he said. “It makes a statement that Goffstown is commited to education.”

Article 3, which was passed 1,509-856, asked voters to approve raising $25,000 for a study of the school, while Article 4, which was passed 1,478-867, asked to create a capital reserve fund for the purpose of providing improvements to the school facility.

Also on the ballot was Article 2, which asked voters to approve $187,500 for payment of construction, architectural and other fees relating to costs for expanding parking and field facilities at Goffstown High School.

The article was passed 1,608- 770.

The $29.5 million operating budget was passed 1,452-914.

Philip W. Pancoast, Karen J. Pratt and Sara Ann Sarette were elected to the school board.

Charter voted down
On the town ballot, voters decided against Article 22, a new charter that would create several changes in the existing form of government in town, including replacing the town’s five selectmen with seven councilors. It also called for the town to be administered by a town manager instead of the selectmen and town administrator, and a change from the budget committee’s 12-member board to nine members. The charter was voted down 1,203-1062.

The town’s selectmen have been opposed to the charter, voting 4-1 against it. Town Administrator Sue Desruisseaux said the article has been the most widely-discussed issue on the town ballot this year.

Fire department warrants
Two key issues on the ballot could have significant impacts on the town’s fire department.

Article 27 – a petition to reaffirm the practice of and to maintain the current fire-based emergency medical service for the town – won the approval of residents with a passing vote of 1,991-291. Goffstown Fire Chief Frank Carpentino has said privatization of ambulance services would have negatively affected the fire department. Also approved was a warrant to have the town prepare and present a plan for 24-hour fire coverage.

Article 29, asking for money to buy a new fire truck, was petitioned by the fire department. The board of selectmen wants instead to repair the equipment, rather than replace it. The article was voted down 1,288-1002.

Supporters of Article 26 have reason to celebrate as voters decided to pass the deposit of 50 percent of the revenues collected pursuant to the land use change tax in a conservation fund. Some residents have said the town does not have enough park land and undeveloped open space. The article passed 1,239-963.

This year’s $16.1 million operating budget was passed 1,377-923.

Article 17 asked voters to approve the raising of $1.8 million to implement the current phase of the road improvement plan. It was passed 1,715-605.

Philip A. D’Avanza was reelected with 1,153 votes for a three-year selectmen’s seat., Gossett W. McRae was also reelected as selectmen for a oneyear term. Donna Bergeron, in a contested race, was re-elected as town clerk.