Published: 4/25/2021 10:45:37 AM
Jaffrey residents were eager for the prospect of high-speed internet during voting at the drive-in Town Meeting on Saturday, unanimously agreeing to a $1.2 million bond for fiber internet infrastructure.
Jaffrey repeated last year’s solution to COVID-19 social distancing with a meeting held in the Hope Fellowship Church parking lot, with residents listening to the meeting over their car radios and voting by holding colored cards out their car windows.
The first article of the day was a bond to run fiber Internet to every household in town. The article originally requested a $2.5 million bond, but was amended to $1.2 million during Town Meeting, to match a proposal submitted by Consolidated Communications. The bond will not be paid back through tax dollars, but by an $11 monthly user fee for those who sign up for the service.
Years living in town: 62
Previous or current elected office held: Currently serving my 10th three-year term as a Trustee of Trust Funds
Other qualifications: Served 3 three-year terms on the Budget Committee. Retired Deputy Chief Financial Officer for NH Department of Corrections. Masters of Business Administration degree.
What are two issues you think are important and how would you address them?
I see there being more than two important issues. 1.) The round-about/bypass of Route 202. I am currently undecided on whether the project should proceed. I would listen to public input combined with a review of the current project specifications. 2.) Filling critical vacancies in the Police and Public Works departments. I would use every resource available to select the best candidate. 3.) Road Repairs. Selecting the projects and contractors that will provide the greatest benefit to the town is essential. 4.) Spelling my name correctly on the ballot. Ballots with misspelled names will
Published: 3/11/2020 2:30:23 PM
After a three-way write-in campaign, Jack Belletete was able to hold on to his seat on the Select Board, officially elected to the seat he had been appointed to fill out his predecessor’s term.
While Belletete is currently on the board, he did not officially file to fill the seat in January, but announced shortly afterward he would be running a write-in campaign. Two other residents, Gary Arceci and Aaron Abitz, also threw their hats into the ring upon seeing the empty seat.
Arceci, who has experience as treasurer of the Jaffrey-Rindge School District and the town budget committee, said he didn’t want to see the seat empty. Abitz was a latecomer to the race, and said he joined after reading about both Belletete and Arceci. He said he wanted to offer a fresh, young perspective.