By Nathan Duke
Staff Writer

Weare middle-schoolers will attend a new school now that voters have passed the estimated $18.5 million proposal that’s been the most significant article in Weare on the ballot this election season. The support for the school represented in the 72 percent victory comes as no surprise, following the record turnout and applause for the proposal at this year’s school deliberative session.

The article was passed 1452- 560 at the Tuesday, March 8, election.

Residents and school officials have long complained about the condition of facilities at Weare Middle School and were relieved to see the vote pass.

"We were very pleased that the taxpayers supported the school. Now the work begins," said Assistant School Superintendent Roxanne Wilson. "I think the school board did an excellent job in getting the word out there. They deserve a lot of credit."

The new school will cover 131,000 square feet and house 920 students. The price tag includes construction costs, demolition of the current facility where the new school will be built, asbestos abatement and furnishings.

The school will be paid for through a 20-year bond with a fixed principal of $900,000 per year.

Begin elected chief
On the town's ballot, the election of a new police chief was a major issue, resulting in the election of Gregory C. Begin with 874 votes. The four other candidates added up to a total of 899 votes.

The only other candidate with police experience, Kevin Rautenberg, received 510 votes.

In last year's election, residents voted to elect a new chief, largely because of controversy surrounding Weare's previous chief, Myles Rigney. Rigney was placed on administrative leave by the board of selectmen in November.

Residents and town officials have been anxious to elect a new chief.

Other items
Articles 24 through 26 asked voters to approve raising money for town equipment and funds. Article 24, which asked for money for a fire communication fund, fire equipment fund and fire and police rescue vehicles, was passed 1,063-886.

Article 25, which asked for money for a computer system fund and a government building and maintenance fund, was passed 1,061-875. Article 26, which asked to raise sums for a highway truck and equipment fund, transfer station equipment and a trash compactor replacement fund, was passed with a vote of 1,172-772.

Article 27 on the town's ballot to spend $100,000 for a used fire department ladder truck was passed, 1,137-804. Selectmen will take $75,000 from a vehicle replacement fund and raise $25,000 through taxes for the truck. Residents voted on a total of 55 articles.

Selectmen Laura Buono praised the initiative of voters during Tuesday's harsh weather conditions. "It's a good year in Weare – voters were generous," she said. "Thanks to all the voters who came out in this weather to vote, especially for passing the (town) budget and all capital funding articles. It was a vote of confidence."

In the town office races, Joseph Fiala and Donna Osborne were elected as selectmen, both for the first time.

On Weare's school ballot, the $9.2 million operating budget was passed 1,044-919. Also, Article 5 was passed 1,358-990 by voters to raise $25,000 to be added to the district's Buildings and Grounds and Playing Fields Expendable Trust Fund, which will provide for future upgrading, maintenance and development of grounds and fields.

Helen Dutton and Judy Lamont were re-elected to the school board for three-year terms, and Paul Levandowski was also elected for a one-year term. No one filed for the position of school district moderator in this year's election, but Neal Kurk won with 20 write-in votes.

Voters in the John Stark School District decided to pass Article 4 with a vote of 1,166- 764, which ratifies and binds the district to the financial costs of a three-year collective bargaining agreement between the school board and the John Stark Teachers Association.

The agreement covers 85 staff members, including classroom teachers, teacher specialists, guidance counselors, a librarian and a nurse.

John Stark School District's $10.4 million budget was also passed with a vote of 1,154-791. John Stark's school district elections resuted in wins for school board member Monte Brown and Joseph Petrick and school district moderator James D. Gleason.