Durham, Oyster River elect School Board members, town councilors
DURHAM – Durham, Madbury, Lee, had municipal elections and each took part in the Oyster River Cooperative School District vote Tuesday.
Durham had five people on the ballot for one three-year term on the School Board. Kelly Ickes won the seat, with 754 votes, defeating Stephanie Pitts (210), John Colwell (158), Andrea Chan (142) and Jason Kolligs (82). Chan remained on the ballot though she had withdrawn from the race.
In Lee, incumbent board member Brian Cisnero (726) was elected to the Oyster River board, defeating Renee Beauregard Bennett (347). Rebecca Blake (285) was on the ballot but had withdrawn from the race.
Madbury has no candidates on the ballot for its School Board seat. Matt Bacon, with 369 votes, took the seat, with other write-in candidates getting 53 votes.
Voters passed the school district’s $56.2 million budget, 1,208-415.
Durham town election results
The nine-member Durham Town Council will have four new members following the 2024 election, according to the town ballot.
Four candidates were competing for three seats, which are each three-year terms. Curtis Register was the top votegetter with 619. Also elected were Heather Grant, 597, and Darrell Ford, 489. They replace three councilors who did not seek re-election.
In addition, James Bubar ran unopposed to complete the final year of Ellie Lonske’s term. Lonske is retiring from the council.
Lee voters reject $1.8 million municipal office building
Lee voters rejected a $1.8 million new municipal office building in a 462-335 vote. The article, which included use of $400,000 in reserve funds, would have needed 60% approval to pass.
Voters approved $200,000 for library renovations, 503-297
The town’s operating budget of just under $5.6 million was approved, 405384.
There were no contested races for elected offices on the town ballot.
Four candidates were competing for three seats, which are each three-year terms. Curtis Register was the top vote-getter with 619. Also elected were Heather Grant, 597, and Darrell Ford, 489. They replace three councilors who did not seek re-election.
Madbury considers highway agent position
There were no candidates on the ballot for Select Board, but Susan Ossoff won election to the open three-year term on the board with 124 write-in votes. Placing second was incumbent board chair Janet Wall with 54 write-in votes, though she didn’t file for re-election.
Town Meeting was held after the election and results were not immediately available. Voters authorized the town’s Select Board to appoint a highway agent to be in charge of construction and maintenance of all town roads. This was because a longtime contractor who handles these duties is expected to retire in the coming years. Voters also approved a $2.3 million operating budget.