MONADNOCK REGION, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Across the Monadnock Region, voters gathered for town meeting night to weigh in on critical local issues, from multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects to school budgets and elections.

Local elections saw new and returning officials take key leadership roles, shaping the future of their communities. Here’s a breakdown of the key decisions made during this year’s town meetings:

Swanzey voters decisively approved the construction of a new fire station and the purchase of the West Swanzey Water Co. during Tuesday’s town meeting, along with several other key warrant articles.

A long-debated plan (this year was the seventh time the article was on the ballot) to build a new fire station at 321 Old Homestead Highway passed overwhelmingly, 1,195 to 226. The $3.5 million project will replace the undersized and outdated Station #2, currently housed in the basement of Town Hall. The funding package includes a $2.5 million bond, $500,000 from the Fire Stations Capital Reserve Fund, and $200,000 in federal grant money, with the remaining funds coming from taxation and other sources. The estimated tax impact is $0.15 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Officials have been working for over a decade to replace Station #2, which fails to meet safety standards. The new facility will provide modern fire department accommodations, including four truck bays, a training room, and decontamination areas. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026.

Swanzey votersrejected a plan to buy and improve the privately owned West Swanzey Water Company; it didn’t receive the three-fifths of the majority vote needed.

Mark Labelle won a three-year term on the selectboard with 716 votes over Michael R. York (359) and Robert L. Derocher (201).

Voters in the Jaffrey-Rindge school district turned down a $22.9 million plan to construct a new career and technical education facility at Conant Middle/High School in Jaffrey.

However, they gave the green light to a $30,760,452 budget, which had been reduced by approximately $3 million during last month’s deliberative session from the initial amount put forward by school officials.

Two contested races were decided in the ConVal School Board elections. In Antrim, Sarah L. Edmunds won a three-year seat with 269 votes, defeating Erin Pils-Martin (156). In Greenfield, Curtis Hamilton secured a two-year term with 259 votes, surpassing Victoria Yerkes (89).

Voeter in Dublin and Francestown considered withdrawing from the ConVal School District, but both measures failed to gain the necessary three-fifths majority. The withdrawal efforts stemmed from a failed 2024 proposal to amend the district’s articles of agreement.

Voters approved the district’s $61.39 million operating budget with 2,503 votes in favor and 1,918 against, passing with 57 percent support. Had the budget been rejected, the default budget of $60.49 million would have been implemented, or a special meeting could have been called to address revisions.

A separate proposal to impose a spending cap on the school district at $29,000 per student was voted down. The measure needed a three-fifths majority to pass but was decisively rejected, with 2,822 votes against and 1,565 in favor. The school board opposed the spending cap, arguing that it would require significant cuts and reduce funding in key areas that directly benefit students.

In the Monadnock Regional School District, voters rejected a proposed $36 million operating budget, 1,953 to 985. As a result, the default budget of $38.8 million will take effect. The budget cut, initiated during February’s deliberative session, was supported by residents seeking to reduce spending, despite concerns from school officials that it could lead to staff and program reductions. Five out of six district towns—Fitzwilliam, Gilsum, Roxbury, Swanzey, and Troy—voted against the proposal, with Richmond being the only town in favor.

Local Elections and Other Notable Votes

In town elections, incumbents and new faces secured key positions across the region:

  • Marlborough: Incumbent Gina Paight retained her selectboard seat with 87 votes.
  • Richmond: Douglas Bersaw was re-elected to the selectboard, defeating Jerrald Merrifield, 219-207.
  • Troy: TJ Chasse won a three-year selectman term over Matthew Whooley, 261-172.
  • Winchester: Herbert “Chan” Stephens (314 votes) and Trevor Croteau (309 votes) won selectboard seats, while Robert Bushee ousted incumbent Joni Hadler for a school board position.
  • Rindge: Larry Cleveland won a three-year term on the selectboard with 969 votes; Forbes Farmer received 692.
  • Hinsdale: Michael Carrier and William Hodgman were re-elected to the selectboard.
  • Fitzwilliam: Martin Nolan defeated Susan Silverman for a selectboard seat, 271-150.
  • Dublin: Blakc Minckler won a three-year selectboard term over Allan Geoff Pinney, 302-114.
  • Alstead: Joe Levesque secured a selectboard seat over Rock Wilson, 261-161. An article seeking a feasibility study on leaving the Fall Mountain Regional School District was rejected. Mary Henry won a three-year term on the school board with 155 votes to Jamie Teague’s 119.

For information on Keene’s election results, visit My Keene Now.

This story will be updated as more election results come in.