In Allenstown, three people are facing off for one seat on the Board of Selectmen: John Childs, Kristopher Fowler and Timothy Sylvernale. Both Childs and Fowler ran for a seat last year as well. Fowler is also running unopposed for a seat on the School Board. Whoever wins the selectmen race will serve a three-year term.
Voting will take place at Allenstown Elementary School, located at 30 Main St., from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10.
The Monitor sent questionnaires to all Board of Selectmen and School Board candidates running for office in our coverage area.
What is your occupation or experience?
Childs: I am retired after spending 41 years in the publishing world. I have marketing and personnel experience that can be an asset on the BOS.
Fowler: I work for the State of NH Department Of Revenue Administration in the Municipal & Property Division.
Sylvernale: 2 term (3 years) Budget Committee, IT Network engineer, small business owner, U.S. Army veteran.
Why are you running and what do you see as the most pressing issues in town?
Childs: I hope to have an impact on the town spending. Taxes are high, and while some can afford the constant increases, many residents cannot.
Fowler: Our town deserves a Select Board that is going to listen to concerns and come up with reasonable ways to accomplish reducing taxes. That does not have to mean making cuts. Our department heads are already working with the bare minimum because the town voted in a default budget last year. I am not sure that the voters understand how a default budget works. A default budget causes expenses to build up, and eventually, we will not have a choice but to pay for all the years that a proposed budget was not accepted.
Sylvernale: One of my ongoing efforts in the Allenstown community is to increase Town Hall transparency and communication. All too often, I hear residents in town say they didn’t hear about something or the information that they did hear was via a third person. I would like to better utilize the town website and other mediums like social media to promote better communication, which will help promote a stronger community, participation and pride.
What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
Childs: I have served on the Municipal Budget Committee for four years and want to better understand the revenue side of the town’s financial. The impact of 25 Canal Street and the Hillsbrook building should allow us to expand services without increased taxation.
Fowler: My hope is to work with all of the departments and learn first-hand what they are dealing with and lacking. I want to be able to make educated decisions when the time comes, decisions that will help the community and not hamper growth.
Sylvernale: As a concerned resident who is also on the Municipal Budget Committee, I started a new venture. I decided I would start recording all the budget committee meetings and posting them online. Since I started this practice, I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from single parents and others who aren’t able to attend the meetings.
If the voters allow me, I would like to join a winning team of the Board of Selectmen to assist in the cleanup of the spending habits of the past while balancing a vision of the future. I have been watching the Board of Selectmen meetings and believe they have begun to repair the damage to the budget. I believe I will bring an outsider’s view to the table. As a team, I believe we can restore the trust in the residents we serve.