During the most recent School Board meeting, a petition warrant article to change the date of the town and School District elections, was brought up for discussion.
“Shall the Town of Hudson and the School District change the date of the elections from the second Tuesday in March to the second Tuesday in April in accordance with RSA 40:14, which would also change the date of the deliberative sessions to a date between the first and second Saturdays after the last Monday in February, inclusive,” the petition warrant article reads. “This warrant will only take effect if it passes on both the town and school districts ballots.”
Mike Tranfaglia, the resident who brought the petition warrant article forward, sent an email to the Selectmen and School Board explaining his reasoning for bringing the ballot measure forward.
“Last week I submitted a warrant article to change the date of the school and town election,” he wrote. “The purpose of this warrant article is to push the election date past the threat of inclement weather that would postpone the election as it has twice in the past few years. I am also hoping the date change may increase voter turnout. This warrant article was also submitted to the school district for the same reasons and is worded on both submissions to ensure that it would have to pass the town ballot and the school ballot in order to take effect. The town lawyer and Administrator have reviewed the language and have no concerns.”
Tranfaglia said he would also be willing to speak at the deliberative sessions about the warrant article.
School Board member, Michael Campbell, explained that he did research on the issue, and there are different schedules for the required budget hearings and Deliberative Session, based on what month it’s in.
“I don’t personally see a downside with it,” he said, noting that the snow pushed it back last year.
School Board member, Ethan Beals, said he was “intrigued by the proposal,” but noted that they need to examine all the pros and cons with it.
“We need to think all these things out,” he said.
Director of Special Services, Rachel Borge, said she spoke with colleagues from Merrimack who have an April voting date and stated it impacts the hiring because they can’t hire anyone until the vote happens if it’s a new position.
It was decided to hold off deciding whether they would recommend the warrant article.
