School Upgrades Pass, Selectman Ousted at Polls

Local voters passed a variety of big town and school warrant articles Tuesday in addition to siding against an incumbent in a close-fought battle for the biggest contested race on the ticket.

The biggest Hampton and North Hampton warrant articles to receive approval were: the $1.2 million North Hampton School renovation project; the $588,600 two-story addition for Centre School; an article appropriating $32,300 for the demolition of the much-maligned old Hampton courthouse; a $150,000 appropriation for a conservation easement for Gov. Dale Farm; and a history-focused memorial clock tower at Centre School.

Among the notable policy changes passed by residents — who turned out in droves in one town but not in another — was an article that brings bingo and Lucky 7 back to Hampton, and one that makes extensive amendments to a flawed North Hampton large assembly ordinance, among others.

While all Hampton, North Hampton and Winnacunnet High School budgets passed, several big money articles were defeated by a healthy margin. Voters shot down a sizable reconstruction of a downtown Hampton's Winnacunnet Road-Lafayette Road intersection, as well as an allegedly money-saving washdown bay facility in Hampton.

"I think we missed it," said Hampton Budget Committee Chairwoman Eileen Latimer about the opportunity for the washdown facility. "I do think this was the year to fund it because next year the bonds kick in. It's going to increase the budget next year and make it difficult for projects to pass. It's too bad it didn't pass."

A proposal to increase the size of the North Hampton Select Board from three members to five also was defeated.

On the election side of the ballots, Hampton voters chose Mary-Louise Woolsey to replace incumbent Chairman Rick Griffin on the Hampton Board of Selectmen. Woolsey, a former selectman who just finished a term as vice chair of the Hampton Budget Committee, won by a narrow margin.

Incumbent Ginny Bridle and former Selectman Jerry Znoj won Hampton School Board seats during a contested race, while incumbents Victoria Kilroy and Henry Marsh were reelected to the North Hampton School Board after fending off former State Rep. Judy Day in a close race.

Full warrant article results for Hampton and North Hampton can be found here, while election results can be found here.

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