By Julie Huss
Staff writer
Fri, May 16 2008 CHESTER — Supporters of a citizens petition in town hope to find a way for more voters to have a say in how the school district conducts business each year. A public hearing was held on Wednesday night to discuss a petitioned warrant article that, if approved, would change the voting procedure for Chester's school district from the traditional annual meeting format to the Senate Bill 2, or SB2 method of voting, where ballot voting takes place on all issues facing the district, including budget and warrant articles. David Clark, who began the petition, told School Board members that only 2 percent of the town's eligible voters came out in March for the annual school district meeting, and that small number — about 70 voters — ended up approving an $11 million budget for next year in only about 45 minutes. "This alone is reason enough to say that the current town meeting form of government for the school district is not working," Clark told the board. Clark said he initiated the petition because many people in town cannot vote under the current system and more people could voice their opinions, be more informed and cast their ballots under the SB2 form of voting. "I believe very strongly that this is more representative and more democratic for the registered voters of the town of Chester," Clark said. If voters approve the SB2 article at the polls next month, the new way of voting for school issues would go into effect next year, according to district superintendent Dr. Victor Petzy. And, if approved, the budget and all warrant articles would be decided at the polls, instead of at the annual town meeting in March, he added. Instead of the annual meeting, the town would hold a deliberative session to finalize the warrant articles and the budget and then would hold official ballot voting at a later time. The Chester School Board does not endorse the SB2 article, according to board member Matthew Stover, adding this year's school district meeting was perhaps less controversial in nature than in years past and maybe people did not have as much to question or debate and chose to stay home on meeting night. "Hundreds of years we've had this system in Chester," Stover said. "People judge the importance of when to be there and when not to be there." Stover said once SB2 is voted into effect in a town, it's more difficult to reverse if the town chooses to change back. "It's a dangerous experiment to enter into," he said. "Something would be lost. It's not broken; it's a great form of democracy. We would like to see it preserved." Others at the hearing voiced concern that the annual school district reports were not mailed to every household this year, and might have caused some problems with people knowing when the annual meeting was being held. Others felt the meeting should go back to being held on a Saturday instead of a weeknight so more could get out and vote. Resident Keith Nelson agreed with Clark that SB2 could help more people get out to vote, including servicemen and women, and those working second and third shifts. "I think SB2 is a fairer system," he said. "I think it's a fair shot for the guy working second shift and the guy in the military." Dianna Charron said she hopes the town votes to stay the same and said she hopes the school board considers moving the annual school district meeting back to a Saturday time slot. She also said no to SB2. "I don't want the town to change," she said. "I want things to stay the way they are." Thirty-year resident Steph Landau, also a member of the Board of Selectmen, said he doesn't think SB2 or a "drive-thru" voting procedure would serve Chester best. "I don't think the drive-thru voting is the way to go because I don't think you have a chance to digest your meal," Landau said. School board chairman Mike Romick said the whole idea is to get more people out to vote and participate in the school business every year. "I just don't see that SB2 is going to help people get out," he said. Chester voters will consider the SB2 article at the polls on voting day, May 13. Polls are open at the town's multipurpose room from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters will also choose town and school district officials. The annual Town Meeting to vote on the town's budget and warrant articles is held the next night, May 14, at 7 p.m. at the town's multipurpose room.
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