The Results Are In, Keno Is Out, And The Rec. Center Will Be Moving
CONWAY,NH – The Conway Recreation Department and Town Hall will be moving. Tuesday Conway residents hit the polls to decide on 34 warrant articles, several local leadership positions, and the operating budget.
According to the official results 31 of the 34 articles as well as the town operating budget passed.
Article 21 which asked to allow the electronic Bingo like gambling game Keno, was rejected by the people of Conway by just 40 votes (679-719).
Article 22 failed 408-989 at the polls, the article would have given tax break for new industrial development.
Article 35 was rejected by voters 168-1,189. The article sought to give commercial development a 50% tax exemption for 5 years .
Article 7 which proposed to lease unused space at Kennett Middle school to act as the new Recreation Department for Conway passed by over 200 votes (834-605). The bill for the move is $700,000 half of which is covered thanks to a generous donation by Margaret L. and Charles S. Marshall.
Another somewhat controversial warrant article, Article 8, which proposed moving the Town hall to the Bank of New Hampshire Building in Conway costing the town $160,000 passed by over 500 votes (982-439).
Article 23 which asked to donate $10,000 to the Eastern Slopes Regional Airport was passed by voters 744-630.
Article 35 which sought to give commercial development a 50% tax exemption for 5 years was rejected by voters 168-1,189.
When it comes to town positions the new Town Clerk tax Collector will be Louise Inkell who defeated Cynthia Shirley 1099 to 247.
In the race for two seats on the Board of Selectmen the two John Colbath and Steve Porter will be keeping their positions. Colbath received 1067 votes and Porter got 979 votes. Challenger John Greenleaf Whittier received 222 votes.
In the race for library trustee positions Hans Hildebrand, Peter Innes, and Alison Memoli will have seats.
When it comes to the School system ballot the largest question at hand was Article 2 which asked for a $1.2 million, 20 year bond for electrical and mechanical upgrades to Pine Tree Elementary School. The article passed by the skin of it’s teeth receiving 866-575, just 1.5 votes above the 3/5 threshold it required.
According to the Conway Daily Sun a request for a recount has been submitted but school officials, however a date for the recount has not been announced.
All 11 Articles were approved by the town which included:
Articles 5 and 6 which all sought to add money to the Kennett Middle School ($17,086 ) and Elementary schools’ ($9,900) facilities maintenance fund.
Article 7 which agreed to a Three-year collective bargaining agreement between the school board and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, calling for an increase in salaries and benefits from July 1, 2018 till June 30, 2021.
The proposed school budget, Article 8, of $37,139,445 for the 2018-2019 school year.
Project SUCCEED (Schools Under Contract Creating Enriching Extended Days) at John Fuller, Pine Tree and Conway Elementary for will be funded $47,473 thanks to Article 9.
The school system will also be purchasing two full-size school buses due to the approval of Article 10, costing $182,000, $45,000 of which will be withdrawn from the Capital Reserve Fund.
Article 11 asks voters to authorize the School Board to enter into a lease agreement with the Town in order for the Conway Recreation Department to lease space at Kennett Middles School, a measure that was also approved on the Town ballot.
