Candidates night: taxes, growth and school review dominate New Ipswich forum

Candidates and residents at New Ipswich's candidates night debated how the town should manage growth, contain taxes and improve the school district.

Lou Alvarez, a current Select Board member seeking another three-year term, described continuity and collaboration on the board as his goal. "We need to think in terms of some affordable housing for the younger people," Alvarez said, and he also urged sensitivity to the town's large elderly population with possible tax breaks or other accommodations.

Phil Andrews, a long-time town resident and business owner, said he wants the town to remain small and rural and suggested exploring non-tax revenue options to lower pressure on property taxes, such as user fees for non-emergency calls. "I'd like to see this town stay small, stay rural," Andrews said, adding he has business and budget experience he believes qualifies him for the Select Board.

A resident who identified himself as Jesus spoke from the floor to endorse Andrews and warned of fiscal strain on families and seniors. He asserted that the school-lunch shortfall had grown "from a $3,000 deficit to $119,000," and said rising taxes and school costs will pressure families.

Bert Hamill introduced his candidacy for the Board of Assessors and for supervisor of the trust funds, describing decades of experience in land and engineering work and saying the town's modest trust funds "do bear watching."

On school governance, Mitch, an interim school-board member and the organizer of a community review known in the meeting as the CAST project, described a months-long effort that brought together 25 residents representing diverse viewpoints. "We produced [a] 158 page Report with 34 recommendations," Mitch said, and he reported the district has been receptive and has begun implementing some recommendations. He framed the project's goal as separating "myth from fact" and said one positive byproduct was reducing divisiveness among participants.

Ellen Salmonson, a retired educator running to fill the remaining one-year board term, said she is focused on improving student achievement within a fiscally responsible approach and called out retention challenges at the high school: "We're having a difficult time finding science teachers," she said.

The evening also included introductions from candidates for the planning board, cemetery trustees and other local posts and closed with voting logistics: polls will be open next week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the gymnasium.

No formal votes or motions were taken during the forum; candidates gave prepared remarks and answered public questions.