BY DERRICK PERKINS

Voters backed candidates with a background in local government for the Charter Commission, giving town employees and elected officials seats on the nine-member board on May 19.

The three members of the Board of Selectmen on the ballot, Patrick Hargreaves, Michael Lyons and Chairman Arthur Barnes, won their bids for a spot on the commission, along with longtime Budget Committee member Stephen Campbell and Robert Campbell, a member of the Planning Board.

Fire Chief Kevin Breen and Deputy Police Chief William Ganley were given the nod by residents at Tuesday’s polls.

Annette Cooke and Cathy Ann Stacey also took a seat each on the commission.

Approved in March by Town Meeting, the commission has been charged with making a range of potential recommendations to improve municipal government, from small changes to Salem’s charter to possibly replacing the Board of Selectmen with a town council.

The commission stems out of one of several recommendations the now defunct Charter Reform Committee gave selectmen last fall. Formed early in 2008 to study ways to make the municipal government more efficient, Committee Chairman Dan Norris told selectmen at the time that the current form of government had limited possible solutions.

With a population over 25,000, Salem is one of the largest communities in the state that retains the town meeting form of government.

Voters did not give the twothirds majority approval needed for the Canobie Phase II water and sewer project. Part of the project was in line to receive federal stimulus funds, but the tally of 508 for and 308 against was not enough to accept the deal.

The plan will not go forward at this time. Town officials will seek alternate funding to bring town water and sewer to the area.