Rich mix in Gilmanton Selectmen's race

With incumbent Rachel Hatch facing challenges from Israel Willard and Laurie Henderson, the three-way race for a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen offers voters a rich choice of candidates of different character, experience and vintage.

All three spoke to a crowd near 50 at the candidates forum last night sponsored and hosted by the Student Leadership Team of the elementary school.

A lifelong resident who built the home he lives in, Willard recalled his school days at the Academy building. When asked about the warrant article to appropriate $40,000 to repair and replace the cupola atop the building, said that "as an eighth-grader I got picked to ring the bell when school started and at recess. It was a big deal," he remarked. "We should put the cupola back on the Academy."

Williard, who served on the recycling committee, said "I don't think the townspeople can take pay-as-you-throw" and suggested "there are other options that will serve the town better." Questioned, he replied "I am for mandatory recycling."

He also expressed support for borrowing $870,000 to construct a life safety building in Gilmanton Corners to house the police and fire departments. "The time has come," he said. "Now is the time to build."

By contrast Laurie Henderson began by saying that she and her family came to town five years ago and confessing that she recognized few people in the crowd. She said that after 20 years as a "stay-at-home mom," she partnered with her husband in a landscaping business, handling the marketing, personnel and bookkeeping and is drawing on her experience to develop an equine center and crafts collective on the historic farm the family owns.

Henderson also expressed misgivings about pay-as-you-throw and a preference for mandatory recycling, which she said would save tax dollars and raise additional revenue. She called for greater transparency in town government, proposing that meetings be videotaped and archived to provide residents with an accurate record of the proceedings.

In the most pointed question of the evening Henderson, who has filed suit against the town for its handling of the permitting process for her businesses, was asked if she could be a representative of the town while litigating against it. She said that she tried to resolve the issues with the Board of Selectmen and other town officials and only turned to an attorney when her efforts failed. "I'm a very thoughtful person," Henderson declared, "and I'll be the first person to admit it when I'm wrong."

"I've been immersed in the community for the past 30 years," Hatch said, adding that she came to Gilmanton 36 years ago. She has served as recording clerk for different boards and commissions and three years ago ran for selectman, but was beaten by David Clairmont. When he suffered an untimely death, the selectmen asked Hatch if she would complete his term. "I stepped up to the plate. Now I'm here. I'm a sure thing," she said, "and I want to continue on this cohesive board of selectmen. I've worked hard," she declared. "I know I am doing the best I can."

Hatch said that her priorities were to complete the life safety building, introduce pay-as-you throw and replace the cupola. She remarked that while the police officers and firefighters display the Academy building on the uniforms, "it's missing. It's bare." She said that the $40,000 would provide for essential roof repairs as well as restore the cupola. Asked if the selectmen were setting aside funds to maintain other buildings, Hatch said that a fund was created and "we are aggressively thinking ahead."