Official ballot voting, commonly called SB2, will be in effect for Candia’s School District next year after voters soundly approved the switch from a traditional School District Meeting 408-189.

Residents switched to SB2 on the town side after last year’s annual vote. On a sunny March 13, 733 people turned out to the polls to cap off the town’s first spin with SB2.

Town results

Voters rejected the town’s proposed $2 million operating budget, which was boosted at the deliberative session of Town Meeting by about $35,000, much of which represented the cost of a new police cruiser.

The budget committee criticized the addition, which was supported by Police Chief Michael McGillen. The town’s budget ultimately failed 335-370, leaving the town with its first ever default budget.

Voters did support spending $150,000 for the final phase of the reconstruction of South Road.

Two warrant articles stemming from citizens’ petitions were also voted on, with mixed results. By a 281-427 vote, residents rejected spending $15,000 to study renovating the old library building on High Street. Selectmen Fred Kelley initially circulated a petition calling for $85,000 to renovate the building for use by the town clerk and the tax collector.

Voters approved $25,000 to repair the High Street Civil War “Soldier’s Monument,” which dates back to 1893.

Election results

Sandra Egan beat David Fischer for a one-year seat on the school board. Egan collected 330 votes to Fischer’s 298. Ed Caito won an unopposed race to fill a three-year school board seat.

In town races, Joe Duarte and Richard Lazott won over Amanda Jayne Soares for a three-year term on the board of selectmen, and Steve Higgins and Judith Szot beat Wendee Robinson for spots on the budget committee.