GOFFSTOWN – Voters approved all monetary town warrant articles Tuesday, including a $19.3 million operating budget, but rejected both the school budget and a request for a $14.5 million bond for elementary school improvements.
The estimated tax impact of the vote is expected to be 23 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, or about $57.50 on a $250,000 home.
Residents said yes to articles that included a collective bargaining agreement for DPW workers, upgraded finance software for town offices and the police department, repair of a failed culvert, support of the Main Street Program and Crispin's House, and traffic improvements in the center of town.
Four articles had no tax impact, as selectmen voted to use approximately $819,000 of the town's unassigned fund balance to pay for them.
Approximately 2,300 residents turned out to vote, according to town clerk records.
In the selectman's race, Nick Campasano and Allen Brown defeated Selectman David Pierce.
In the school board race, Ben Hampton and Reta Chaffee unseated current board member Lorry Cloutier.
School Board Vice Chair Dian McCarthy was elected for another three-year term.
Selectman Scott Gross said he was appreciative of the town's approval of both the budget and warrant articles.
"The Board of Selectmen made a concerted effort to educate the public about the articles, and I think that helped," he said.
School board member Keith Allard said he was disappointed by the results.
"The biggest disappointment for me personally is the failure of the school bond," he said. "The renovations were desperately needed in the community."