The defeat of two bonds has imperiled the future of the town road program and opened the possibility that the intersection of Nashua Road and Route 101 will not be improved in time for a new class of high school drivers.

A majority of voters disapproved of the $12 million road bond, 2,286-1,187. The bond would have continued the town road program for three years.

“I feel sorry for the people in this town who haven’t had their roads repaired,” said Town Councilor Michael Scanlon, a backer of the $12 million bond.

He noted that two other bonds, totaling $20 million had passed in previous elections.

“Now they’re going to be forced to pay for these bonds and they’re not going to get the benefit of them.”

Scanlon said he did not know what the town would do to ensure the road program continues beyond 2008, when current funding expires. He said the Town Council could come back to voters with another bond at a special election during the September state primary or next March.

He suggested that it is possible having the two road bonds on the ballot diminished the chances of either one succeeding.

“There is a potential that people were confused,” Scanlon said. “I think they were dissatisfied with both choices.”

Most of the voters exiting the polling place who were willing to speak with the Bulletin said that they had voted for both road bonds.

Charlene Ouellette said she was willing to pay a higher price so the town can continue to improve its roads.

“It’s common sense,” Ouellette said.

Carol Fini said she has voted for two road bonds in the past and is still waiting to see her road, Heritage Drive, get better. “Hopefully, if they get more money, we’ll get lucky,” Fini said.

A majority of voters approved the $8 million bond but it did not receive the necessary two-thirds vote to pass, failing 1,917-1,621.

The bond was on the town ballot, but it was strongly supported by the School Board because it would have paid for a flashing light and the widening of Route 101 at Nashua Road, where many high school drivers are expected to be driving.

A $445,000 emergency access-only road connecting the school to Route 101 through Chestnut Drive did pass, however. “I’m very happy that everything passed,” said School Board Chairman Cindy Chagnon. “I am, of course, very concerned with the safety issue with Nashua Road and Route 101 and very worried that there will be accidents.”

The School Board had spent much of the past year researching the options for a secondary access road to the new high school, finally narrowing them down to a combination of the emergency access with an upgrade to the highway intersection.

The proposal was shifted on to the town ballot in early 2008 because the state told the district it did not have the statutory authority to do the work.

Chagnon said it is now up to the town to take the next step. “We will be happy to talk, but we can’t propose,” she said.