Rye town, school election ballots: What voters need to know before going to polls
RYE — The town's residents will vote on a nearly $12 million town budget, a $16.6 million school budget, multiple union contracts and replacing a longtime selectman in the Town Meeting election.
Voting in town will take place Tuesday, March 14, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Rye Elementary School. Voters will receive town and school ballots.
Here's a look at some of the key items on the ballots:
Three candidates look to replace outgoing selectman
Selectman Phil Winslow, the current board chair, long involved in town affairs, and a selectman since 2017, will not seek reelection to the three-member board. He said it's time for he and his wife, Mae, to return to another love, travel.
Cathy Hodson, Bob McGrath, and Bruce Valley are vying for a three-year term, the only board position that is up for election in 2023.
Two library trustee seats has Dania Seiglie and Michael Moody on the ballot. Another resident, Hugh Lee, has made it known he would like to be considered as a write-in candidate for the three-year term.
Rye ballot features budget, police, fire, town employee contracts
Voters are being asked to approve a $11,985,910 budget, which is unanimously supported by the town's selectmen and Budget Committee. If the budget does not pass, the town would enact a default budget of $10,713,426, which represents last year's budget plus any contractual agreements in place.
There are three collective bargaining warrant articles for voters to consider.
Article 6 is a two-year agreement between the town and the firefighters association of Rye. A yes vote will approve $50,023 for 2023, and $46,812 to cover the agreement for 2024. Only the amount for 2023 will come from this year's taxes.
Article 8 is a three-year agreement between the town and the Rye Police Association. For 2023, the amount is $34,681; for 2024, $36,304; and for 2025, $30,327.
Article 10 represents the town employees union for a three-year contract. If approved, the amount for 2023 is $52,875; for 2024, $55,889; and for 2025, $34,850.
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School Board election, budget and contract on ballot
Four candidates are running for two open seats on the Rye School Board. They are incumbent Matt Curtin, Michelle Wheeler, Bruce Valley and Danielle Maxwell.
Voters will consider an operating budget of $16,576,387, unanimously supported by the School Board and the Budget Committee. If it fails, the district will revert to a default budget of $16,279,349.
Article 2 asks voters to approve $131,408 to meet year 2023-2024 of a contract approved in 2019 between the district and the Rye Educational Support Personnel Association.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rye NH Town Meeting election guide 2023
