Cornish Town Meeting preview

Published: 02-28-2025 8:39 PM

Articles of note: Voters will be asked to weigh in on three zoning amendments: One would allow home-based child care centers in all zoning districts; another would allow a child care agency to operate as a principal use by special exception; and the third would bring the town’s off-street parking requirements for residential developments into compliance with state law, which prevents towns from requiring more than 1.5 off-street parking spaces for studio and one-bedroom units under 1,000-square-feet that are deemed to be workforce housing. Another article asks whether voters would like to adopt the Cornish Community Power plan. A petitioned article asks voters whether they would like to rescind a 2023 vote to accept the former Cornish general store as a new library. Another petitioned article seeks to alter the Cornish Conservation Commission bylaws by removing wording “which only serves to promote an elitist clique among the membership.”

Contested races: Two people are running for one three-year term on the Selectboard: Michael Belanger and Keith Beardslee. Jesse Cloutier and Matthew Dunn are vying for a seat on the Cornish School Board.

Budgets and other spending articles: The proposed school budget is $5.48 million, up slightly from $5.4 million last year. Voters also will be asked whether they support the cost of a new three-year contract with the Cornish Educators Association. The cost in the first year is $118,000. The proposed town general fund budget is $695,000, up from $675,000 last year. The proposed highway budget is $817,000, even with last year.

When, where and how to vote: The annual school meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 8 at 1 p.m. in the Cornish Elementary School gym; polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ballot voting for town officers and zoning amendments is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 in the town hall. The floor meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m. in the Cornish Elementary School gymnasium.

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