DERRY – Voters decided to keep the town's form of government intact yesterday, rejecting a proposal to alter the charter to allow residents to shoot down annual budgets and large bond items.
The 3,308 residents who turned out also voted in two council candidates who opposed the charter changes and one who sat on the commission that proposed it. They elected two newcomers, Brent Carney and Rick Metts, and reelected council Chairman Brian Chirichiello.
The charter issue divided residents who believe they should have more control over town spending and others who think the town is too big for that style of government. The proposal failed, 1,670 to 1,625.
Councilor Craig Bulkley, who opposed the proposed changes, said the vote indicated that the majority of residents are satisfied with how the current form of government works. Neal Ochs, a school board member who campaigned against the proposal, said he hopes the town can move on from the divisive issue.
Frank Sapareto, who sat on the charter commission, said he wouldn't be surprised if there's another push in the future to alter the town's charter. He said he was surprised by how successful the opposition's work turned out.
"I'm surprised they got people to vote against voting," he said.
Resident Mario Natowa said he voted for the charter changes because he believes residents should be more "in the loop" when it comes to their tax dollars. The proposal would have given voters power over the town operating budget and bond items larger than 2.5 percent of the previous year's spending plan. It would also have changed the municipal voting day from March to May.
"They're killing us with taxes," Natowa said.
Carney, who sat on the charter commission, won the District 2 council race with 535 votes against Virginia Roach, the planning board chairwoman, who got 487. Chirichiello won his second term on the council with 314 votes against Joseph DiChiaro's 281.
In the at-large race, Metts, a former school board member and owner of the Clam Haven restaurant, got 1,765 votes, while state Rep. Paul Hopfgarten, a former councilor, got 1,398. Frank Mazzuchelli got 114 votes; he decided after filing for candidacy to not actively seek the post and to support Hopfgarten.
Chirichiello said he does not plan to seek the chairmanship when the council reconvenes, on Tuesday. Carney said the election was bittersweet for him because he was also hoping the charter changes would pass. At age 30, Carney will be the youngest member of the council.
"It's exciting," Carney said. "I'm looking forward to hopefully representing the young families in town."
Metts said he hopes there will be more civility this year on the council. He said he's able to work in a friendly manner with people he disagrees with.
