DURHAM – Only 320 of the town’s 3,406 registered voters turned out for the municipal election Friday, ousting two incumbents and approving the operation of state liquor stores and agency liquor stores in town.
Selectman Kirk Asselyn was elected to a second three-year term with 183 votes, and Christine Charette was elected to the board with a tally of 142 votes. Incumbent Selectman Michael VanDerWerf received 110 votes, and Norman Newell, 99, in their unsuccessful bids.
Road Commissioner Clifton Larrabee Jr. defeated challenger Daryl Pratt, 196-109.
In the three-way race for two seats on the School Committee, Amber Snell was re-elected with the high vote of 188, while Laurie Poissonier received 144 votes and incumbent Linda Pfaffinger garnered 122.
Milton Simon was re-elected to the Budget Committee with 252 votes. As there were no other official candidates, Deborah Larrabee and Jean Bushnell were elected to fill the remaining seats with 35 and 20 write-in votes, respectively.
Pauline Paradis, who was unopposed, was re-elected tax collector and treasurer with 302 votes.
The first referendum question, authorizing the operation of “state liquor stores or agency stores on days other than Sunday,” was approved by a vote of 226-82. The second question, authorizing operation of “state liquor stores or agency liquor stores on Sundays,” was also approved, 178-132.
This will mark the first time that the dry town of Durham has permitted liquor stores, and it still does not permit on-premises consumption in public places.
The town meeting, which will consider an 85-article warrant, gets under way at 9 a.m. today at the Durham Elementary School Gymnasium on Hallowell Road and is to continue throughout the day.
Members of the Fire Department will be selling beverages and food during the meeting, as there is no break for lunch.
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