Town Clerk flags Newman Elementary safety, urges poll-site decision by Feb. 1

Town Clerk Louise Miller told the Select Board on Dec. 2 that Newman Elementary School, which currently hosts voting for Precincts C and D, poses security and access challenges that make it a poor fit as a polling location.

"The parking lot is very crowded" and the gym entrance sits beyond a locked school gate and adjacent playground, Miller said, describing situations that require gates and custodial staff to be opened on election day. She said both precincts include many voters who must drive to the site and that Miller had received letters from parents worried about safety during school pickup on election days.

Miller outlined alternatives the town might consider, including the Jack Cogswell Building, the police and fire station, and Town Hall, and asked whether the two precincts could be split so one remains at Newman and the other moves to a closer municipal location. She also proposed forming a small working group with registrars and emergency-management staff to review accessibility, parking and custodial needs.

The clerk told the board that each precinct has roughly "about 3,200, 3,300 registered voters" and that, if the board intends to change sites for the April election, "we would need to have a decision by February 1" so voters receive timely notice.

Board members emphasized that town-owned locations carry advantages (full control of custodial and security) but noted trade-offs on parking and early start times for staff. They asked staff to evaluate options including Hillside, Emery Grover and private venues that could be used under agreements.

No formal vote was taken at the Dec. 2 meeting; Miller and the Town Manager were asked to convene a small group and return with recommended alternatives and feasibility details before the board's next actions.