Local Election Information

Polls 10am-7pm
School meeting begins at 1pm
Cornish School Gym

The Cornish School District Meeting is March 5 at the Cornish Elementary School. The polls are open from 10:00-7:00; the business meeting will start at 1:00 to act on the other Articles. The polls will close for at least 1 hour to allow voting on the Article for the roof repair bond issue after the discussion of the bond article has finished. If there are people in line to vote on the bond article at the end of an hour, they will be allowed to vote; the line will not be extended past that last person. If all who wish to vote on the bond article have voted before the 1 hour is up, the polls will remain open for later voters, but the business meeting may resume and begin discussion of the next article in the Warrant.

Registered voters are the only ones who can vote on officers and the other Articles and are the only ones allowed to speak to any issues before the meeting. Exceptions to the second rule can be made for non-residents who have expertise in areas under discussion and are routinely extended to school and supervisory union employees, school district attorneys, and others as circumstances require.

In keeping with the changes in masking requirements announced by Governor Sununu on Wednesday, there will be no mask mandate in place for School District Meeting. As noted by the State Epidemiologist Dr. Chan, masking is now an individual choice based on personal circumstances – vaccination status, pre-existing medical conditions, or other considerations.

All in attendance are encouraged to maintain respectful distances from others not in their family or regular close contacts, honor the masking choices others have made, and conduct themselves with civility. All discussion and voting will take place in the gym. For those who are masked and wish to attend from another room in the school, the library will be equipped with a one-way video and audio feed from the gym; they can then enter the gym to speak from the back of the room if they have comments/questions or get in line to vote. I would like to appoint an assistant moderator to help in the library. If there is someone who plans to take advantage of this space and is willing to volunteer, please contact me.

This one-way audio and video feed will also be available over Zoom for those who wish to listen to the discussion from home.

Dan Poor, School District Moderator – dpoor45 at gmail

My name is Hillary Ackerman. I am hoping you consider voting for me as I run for the school board this year. My husband grew up in Cornish and has always shared fond memories and traditions that he experienced during his time at Cornish Elementary. These experiences were a major part that we took into consideration when we decided to move to Cornish in 2020. I have three daughters, 6, 4 and 2 that are starting their education in this community. I am passionate about their education and the opportunities that the Cornish Elementary School has provided. As a full time nurse I have a shared understanding of the hurdles and adaptations the school has had to face during a global pandemic. My goal is to provide ideas and support to the community as well as the school that have positive, safe and equal opportunities to all children. Please consider welcoming me to the Cornish school board.

Please feel free to reach out to me at ackerman.hillary.m@gmail.com for any questions. 

Hillary Ackerman

My name is Patrick Kelly. I am running to become a member of the Cornish School Board. My wife grew up in this area and her love for this area is what inspired us to move to Cornish three years ago. Our son is now in 4th grade and my wife taught at Cornish Elementary School for two years. I love the Cornish community and the wonderful and unique opportunities that my son has had at CES. I am a dedicated educational professional myself, as a special educator at Hartford High School. I have been in education for 5 years and am acutely aware of the changing educational environment these past few years have brought. Prior to teaching, I spent 8 years in the finance industry, growing a successful business by supporting other local small businesses. My goal is to bring my two careers and also my experience as a father together to the Cornish community to ensure CES continues to reflect the best interests of every student.

Thank you for your consideration to join the Cornish School Board. 

I respectfully request your vote as a write-in candidate for the office of Cornish School District Clerk. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to sign up for the position during the allotted declaration period. I have filled the position since 2016. I am currently the Deputy Clerk. Please consider me as your write-in candidate for Cornish School District Clerk. 

With appreciation,
Merilynn Bourne 

I’m running for the 1 year term for Selectman because a number of people in town have asked me to do so.

Here’s a bit of bio. I spent most of my youth in Africa as the son of missionaries. Ros Seidel and I were married in Afghanistan where I was stationed as a Peace Corps volunteer. We moved to New Hampshire in 1976 and Cornish in 1979. I served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment in the 80s and early 90s until business and family responsibilities required me to step down. I’ve had little or nothing to do with Town affairs since then because business interests consumed all of my time.

I developed, owned and operated a number of businesses in the construction and service sectors in my 35 years in business and sold the last one 4 years ago. If elected, I’ll bring the knowledge and skills acquired managing small businesses to the position. 

A few people have told me they are glad I’m running. When I ask them why the response has been something along the lines of “there needs to be some changes down there” (meaning in the Selectmens’ office). Few people are willing to criticize individual past or present selectmen and usually they are complaining about the way business has been conducted in the office over the years.

But there is a feeling that the Board (and by implication town management) is not as efficient as it should be, that not all citizens are treated equally and with respect, and that some of the Board’s decisions are arbitrary and inconsistent.

I can’t speak to its efficiency but when I went to the Board recently with a request, the response was consistent with its interpretation of NH regulations regarding the matter. 

The Board is the executive and administrative governing body of the Town. The Board is charged with implementing the directives of the Town Meeting (whether individual Board members agree with those directives or not), managing town roads and town property, overseeing welfare, issuing public health regulations and enforcing land use regulations. Partisan or personal considerations of individual board members should have no part in how it governs.

If inefficiency, fair and equal treatment for all, and arbitrary decision-making are issues, they can be remedied. NH RSAs give the Board wide latitude in how it organizes itself and conducts its affairs. But I know from experience that good management is far more complicated and time consuming than it appears. And management by committee can be very difficult. 

A final note: I signed up to run because I mistakenly thought that Frank Parks was willing to run only if no one else was willing to do it. Turns out I was wrong. Frank has been a good neighbor for many years but Ros knows him better than I do. The other day she said to me “The thing I like about Frank is he has real integrity.” I agree. If I had known he was willing to serve the remainder of the term I probably wouldn’t have signed up to run.

I think you will be well served by either of us. 

But democracy works best when voters have a choice.

If you have anything you’d like to discuss with me my cell phone number is 603-727-8519. I would rather talk with you than write emails back and forth. I’m particularly interested in what you think could be improved and how you think it could be done.

As a native of Cornish I would like to have the opportunity to serve you, the residents of our town, as a Selectman for the vacant three year term seat.

My family lived on Burr Rd. in Cornish, when I was born in 1946. I attended the one room school house on School Street, then on to Cornish Elementary school for third through seventh grade, until we moved to Meriden when I attended KUA for a year. I graduated from Lebanon, H.S. and I enlisted in the US Navy and was honorably discharged in 1967. After returning from the Navy I bought a home in Meriden and spent six years working as an electrical lineman for a local power company. In 1974 I moved to Addison, VT and I spent 13 years as a successful dairy farmer there. When I sold the farm and moved back to Cornish in 1987, I shod horses and started a successful excavating business, which I continue to do today.

Running an excavating business has given me experience in researching laws and rules of the state of NH which must be followed, as well as experience in dealing with Cornish and surrounding towns’ zoning rules.

I am on the Budget Committee for the town of Cornish and I feel I have assisted in balancing the needs of the town with an eye towards keeping taxes in check.

I have recently been appointed to the Cornish Energy Committee. 

I’m currently serving on the Planning Board.

I feel my life and business experiences can benefit my neighbors and the ever changing needs of Cornish if I am elected to the three year term of Selectman.

Thank you for your support.

I’ll be happy to speak with you about any questions or concerns you have. Please call me at home, 603-542-8902. If I don’t answer, please leave a message (with your number) and I’ll gladly return your call.

I am running as a candidate for the 3-year term on the Cornish Selectboard. I was born at the old Windsor Hospital (now the Stoughton House) in 1953 and grew up in Hartland, Vt. After attending the Hartland school system, I graduated from Hanover High School. My wife Linda and I were married in 1977 and moved to the old Balloch farm in Cornish in 1978. For the past 46 years I have operated a mobile farrier service throughout NH and Vt. All three of our children were educated in the Cornish school system. Our family operated North Star Canoe Rentals for 37 years at our farm. As well as being a farrier I have operated a farm breeding livestock as well as producing hay.  I am passionate about agriculture and feel it is critical in preserving the rural character of Cornish. 

Growing up, both my parents were active in the community. I have tried to follow their example. Since moving to town I have served on numerous boards and committees. In the 1980’s and 90’s I was a member of the Planning Board serving for a period as chairman. In 2006 I was elected to the Select Board and served thru 2021. Other committees I have been a part of have been the Conservation Commission, Town Forest Committee, Highway Equipment Committee and as a town liaison to the Saint Gaudens Trust.

I feel that I work well with other people and try to address the issues and concerns of the citizens of Cornish. It is important that all people are treated equally and with respect. As a former board member, I have always tried to address the town’s needs while being prudent with the dollars being spent. Some decisions have been controversial, but my bottom line has always been what is in the best interest of the town of Cornish. 

I encourage all Cornish residents to participate in our democratic process. Your vote does count. Vote for the candidate of your choice.

Please call me if you have questions or concerns. Thank you for your consideration.

John Hammond

603-558-0006

Friends, neighbors and fellow residents. For the last few months, I have filled a temporary position as a Selectman for our Town. I have very much appreciated the great amount of support that I have received from so many of you. That support was a big factor in my recent decision to run for the one year term that will be available in March. I have been a resident of our fine town since 1968 and have always done my best to proudly serve and support it in many different capacities; both publicly and privately. As a resident, I feel I have a very strong core understanding of the many needs and challenges that Cornish and a lot of other small towns face. I also feel that my life experience, coupled with a career as an electric utility professional, has provided me with a diverse skill set that I can also now use to benefit the Town. 

Agenda…None. Goal…Simple, Be objective and do my best to achieve what is best for the residents and the Town of Cornish. 

 I welcome anyone to contact me with thoughts, questions or concerns. I return all calls and you can leave a message at 603 675 5060 or drop me a line at frank4bos@yahoo.com

With your support, I hope to continue to serve our Town.

          Thank You!

We all love our small, rural town and want to encourage its healthy growth while safeguarding its quiet charm and undeveloped spaces. To do this, we need easier access to voting at Town Meetings so that people who work can attend the meeting without sacrifice. Please vote “Yes” on the paper ballot on March 8 to allow the BOS to reschedule the business session (where the discussion and hand/voice votes are held) to a more convenient day/time.

If you’d like to see a more diverse representation of our town at this important gathering, please vote “Yes” for Article 2 to change the date/time of Town Meeting, and help make Town Meeting more accessible to all. This will be presented on the paper ballot and won’t be voted on by voice/hand on the floor. If it passes, the BOS will arrange the new date/time for the business meeting as is legally required.

Exact reading of the Article 2:
“Do you approve of having 2 sessions for the annual town meeting in this town, the first session for choice of town officers elected by an official ballot and other action required to be inserted on said official ballot and the second session, on a date set by the selectmen, for transaction of other business?”

Please remember to come out and vote! Thank you so much for your support! 
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We’ll see you at the polls!

Liz Gage; 675-5722; lizgagenh@gmail.com
Linda Leone; 201-787-9789; linellenleone@gmail.com

I am a candidate for an open position on the Plainfield School Board. I am currently serving on the School Board in a temporary role, filling a vacant seat.

My wife and I have been residents of Plainfield since 1993 and our children are proud graduates of the Plainfield School, and then Lebanon High School. We have always been and remain strong supporters of our community’s school. 

In 2006 I co-founded and then directed a non-profit that develops online medical education courses. Although medical education is clearly different than primary education, I believe that my understanding of education and assessment will help me to be a valuable School Board member. I also currently serve as the Chairperson of the Board of a local non-profit ski area, so have a familiarity with the proper functioning of Boards. 

In my professional life I am a pediatric specialist working at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth. As a pediatrician the importance of keeping children in school safely as the pandemic plays out is clear and I feel that I have a good understanding of the issues. 

I understand that taxes in Plainfield are a concern for all residents. I will always consider the impact of school spending decisions on the taxpayers, and seek to find the right balance between the needs of the school and the cost to the town.

Norm Berman

nberman@plainfieldschool.org

My name is Andrew Martin and I am running for membership on the Plainfield School Board as a write-in candidate for the upcoming 3 year term.

I was born and raised in Concord, New Hampshire and have lived in the Upper Valley for 16 years (and in Plainfield the past 6 years). I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from USM and am a critical care nurse in the recovery room at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. My wife and I have a son currently in the 1^st grade at PES and a daughter who will be starting Kindergarten there this fall. 

I have been an active volunteer in our community as well as having had extensive experience working with disease outbreaks (ie – cholera, Ebola, multi-drug resistant TB) in multiple countries while serving abroadwith the organization, Doctors Without Borders. I’m also currently a volunteer with the 4 Winds program as well as helping to chaperone during my son’s nature playclass and for this season’s Whaleback FAST program. 

I feel my experiences as a parent, nurse, and humanitarian worker give me unique perspectives and insights in helping our school community continue to navigate the uncertainties around our current COVID pandemic. Furthermore, in my time working with vulnerable communities both here and abroad, I have come to appreciate the power and importance of quality education for all for which I will be a strong advocate all the while recognizing the need to balance our tax burden. 

I am so grateful for our teachers, staff and administration as well as all the students, parents, and community for their part in keeping our school open and safe these past few years. In gratitude, I want to give even more back to this wonderful community and with your help, it is my hope to serve on the school board. I would appreciate your support in writing me in on the ballot for a 3 year term on March 8^th. Absentee ballots are available at the Town Office for those who will be out of town on election day. Thank you! Please contact me with any questions or suggestions apmartin930@gmail.com

“Community Power”, which in New Hampshire is authorized by RSA 53-E, democratizes energy purchasing by empowering towns, cities and counties to choose where their electricity comes from and how it is generated on behalf of their residents and businesses. This enables electricity customers to choose sources of electricity that differ from the standard retail or “default” mix of power offered by the incumbent electric utilities in NH, which include Liberty, Eversource, Unitil and the NH Electric Co-op. Across the U.S., different states determine the percentage of retail or default power offered by the incumbent utilities that must be derived from renewable sources. In NH, that percentage (referred to as the Renewable Portfolio Standard or RPS) is very low at 21.6%. In addition, there are efforts currently underway in the NH Legislature to further reduce the State’s RPS. Plainfield wants to push beyond this very low RPS offered in the standard incumbent utility default power mix.

The Town of Plainfield would like to implement a Community Power program as a means of taking control of their combined electricity purchases, both to reduce the cost to consumers and to push for production of more renewable energy as a percentage of the total electricity produced in the U.S. Increased demand for green power fosters investment in renewable energy producers by insuring a sizeable and sustainable customer base.

Please vote yes on Warrant Article #8 at the Plainfield Town Meeting to establish the Plainfield Community Power plan so that we can continue to pursue bringing Community Power to the town of Plainfield.

The Plainfield Zoning Board has proposed changes that give them unnecessary control over your property. The current ordinances are working fine. The proposed changes will further restrict what Plainfield taxpayers can do with their properties. The Plainfield Responsible Land Use Initiative supports landowner freedom and urges voters, on March 8, to VOTE NO on Question 1, Question 2, and Question 3. 

Plainfield Property owners have a history of responsibly using their land. The current zoning ordinances provide some restrictions on land uses. The proposed changes to the zoning ordinances are unnecessary and may negatively impact property values, by further restricting responsible uses of land. VOTE NO.

Question 1 concerns Cottage Businesses. The proposed change to the Cottage Business ordinance would unnecessarily lower the number of individuals allowed to work at a home business. The proposed change also provides examples of uses and buildings that would not be allowed. The current Cottage Business ordinance provides greater flexibility for home based businesses and is working fine. It provides more freedom for Cottage Business employees and independent contractors to work. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Vote NO on Question 1 to keep the current ordinance on Cottage Businesses working as it has for years.

Question 2 unnecessarily changes the Approved Business Project section of the zoning ordinances. The current Approved Business section clearly outlines approved business activities and is working fine. Before changing the zoning ordinance, we should insist on clear reasons why a change is necessary. That case hasn’t been made. The proposed change puts unclear restrictions on land use and also potentially makes it harder for a landowner to obtain a special exception for a new land use. Especially in this economic environment, we shouldn’t be making it harder for landowners to use their land. Vote NO on Question 2 to keep the Approved Business Project as it currently stands.

Question 3 is about solar devices. It proposes adding additional restrictions to solar energy systems. The current Solar Energy Systems ordinance is sufficient and provides greater flexibility for landowners. The town should support solar and other alternative energy resources, rather than put up roadblocks. The current standards are appropriate, and the town hasn’t shown any problems with allowing greater flexibility and solar array options. Vote NO on Question 3 to give landowners more control over building solar arrays on their properties.

Overall, the members of the Plainfield Responsible Land Use Initiative support landowner freedom. We don’t want amendments to the zoning ordinance that will restrict legal land uses beyond the current ordinance that works very well. We haven’t seen any problems with the areas of the zoning ordinance that are up for amendment, and the proposed changes put unclear and unfair control over property use in the hands of the zoning board. To ensure freedom for property owners, and maximize the value of taxpayer’s properties, we strongly encourage a NO VOTE on Question 1, Question 2, and Question 3.

Sincerely,

Plainfield Responsible Land Use Initiative

Voting on these zoning issues takes place on Tuesday March 8th, 8am to 7pm, Plainfield Elementary School.