Meet the Candidates Forum in Hooksett, New Hampshire – February 24, 2026

This forum, hosted by the Hooksett Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Hooksett, took place on February 24, 2026, from approximately 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. It featured candidate introductions, moderator-led questions, and public Q&A for three governing bodies: Town Council, School Board, and Budget Committee. No votes were taken; the event aimed to inform voters ahead of the March 10, 2026 election.

Consent Calendar

• No routine approvals or unanimous actions were recorded.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Audience member (Free State Movement) asked if candidates had ever been affiliated with the Free State Project. Both Town Council candidates (Antonio LeCass and David Smith) denied affiliation.
• Audience member (Roger Duheim) asked Town Council candidates how to balance rising taxes with funding schools, police, and fire, specifically noting Manchester’s layoffs and deficits. Candidate Smith emphasized tightening budgets; Candidate LeCass cited smart development and creative revenue streams.
• Audience member (Ernie Ben Jvanga) questioned the ethical conflict of Keith Judge serving as both a union representative for town employees and a Town Council member. The moderator ruled the question out of order as it targeted an absent candidate.
• Audience member (John Duran) asked about meeting attendance requirements. Candidate Smith noted charter provisions for removal after missed meetings; Candidate LeCass committed to attending all meetings.
• Audience member (Tony LeCass) asked School Board candidates about providing more detailed budget information to the Budget Committee. Candidates Lizotte, Kelly, and Gortell expressed support for increased transparency. Candidate Godbout noted improvements in communication.
• Audience member (David Smith) asked the Budget Committee chair (Abigail Shane) about the failure of budgets under her chairmanship. Shane defended the committee’s work and noted minimal differences between proposed and default budgets.
• Audience member (Dick Newwald) asked Budget Committee candidate Abigail Shane about long-term planning to avoid future taxpayer burdens. Shane highlighted trust funds and capital planning.
• Tony LeCass (as audience member) asked Budget Committee candidates if they would ask more questions of the School Board, referencing Jillian Godbout’s earlier comment that the Budget Committee rarely asks questions. Candidates Harrington, Kelly, Pelosof, and Shane responded, with Shane disagreeing with Godbout’s characterization.

Discussion Items

Town Council Candidate Forum

• Opening Remarks:
  • Keith Judge (absent, letter read): Emphasized negotiation experience, opposition to “straight vote no” approach, support for attracting quality businesses, and desire for a town center.
  • Antonio (Tony) LeCass: Stated he brings fresh energy, experience on Zoning Board, and founded the Hooksett Bridge newspaper. Prioritizes intentional growth, communication, and leveraging the Merrimack River and village.
  • David Smith: Criticized Judge’s past attendance (over 25 missed meetings) and conflict of interest as a union rep for town employees. Received a warning from the moderator for disrespect.
• Moderator-Led Questions:
  • Balancing services and taxes: Smith advocated reducing employee base; LeCass sought more research on salaries and benefits and proposed creative revenue streams (e.g., solar on municipal roofs).
  • Overdevelopment vs. community character: LeCass supported rezoning for small businesses, walkability, and using the TIF district wisely. Smith opposed the TIF district as a subsidy for large commercial entities.
  • One lasting change: Smith emphasized enforcing rules and stringency. LeCass prioritized creating a downtown master plan for the village.
  • Most important role of council: LeCass said leading by example and unifying the community. Smith said representing the residents’ votes.
• Public Questions:
  • Budget opinion: Smith felt the current budget is too large; LeCass was not familiar with it but offered to follow up.
  • Creative revenue streams: LeCass cited solar panels on municipal/school buildings (previously voted down); Smith opposed solar.
  • Support for schools and police/fire retention: Both expressed support for schools. On police retention, Smith called retention a “farce” and said pay is equal to comparable towns.
• Closing Statements:
  • Smith highlighted fiscal responsibility and tax doubling since 2011 without service increases.
  • LeCass pledged to bring solutions, listen to residents, and be approachable.

School Board Candidate Forum

• Opening Remarks:
  • Wayne Gortell: Incumbent with six years on board. Noted full-day kindergarten success, data-driven approach, fiscal expertise.
  • Jillian Godbout: Incumbent, public school educator, emphasized facilities planning and a capital improvement plan (CIP).
  • Chow Kelly: Immigrant from Vietnam, journalist, advocate for strong schools, parent-community communication, and transparency via livestreaming.
  • Todd Lizotte: Former School Board member, focused on budget transparency, noted $5.3 million in surpluses over three fiscal periods.
• Moderator-Led Questions:
  • Biggest academic challenge: Godbout cited state curriculum mandate in 2027 and trust fund set aside by the board. Kelly pointed to low proficiency rates (e.g., 41% science at David C. Moore School). Lizotte emphasized math and science for AI future. Gortell agreed on SAS scores and suggested better family engagement.
  • Vision for long-term future: Kelly stressed increasing proficiency. Gortell highlighted facilities and curriculum planning. Lizotte advocated for inclusive programs in math and science. Godbout pushed for strategic planning with all stakeholders.
  • Responsible budget approach: Lizotte called for a clean-sweep budget and transparency. Kelly urged voter involvement and cutting “wants.” Godbout said budget is needs-based, student-focused, and affected by special ed fluctuations. Gortell noted 285% increase in special ed costs over 20 years and underfunding from the state.
  • Why choose Hooksett schools: Godbout cited excellent academics, sports, extracurriculars. Gortell noted diverse student body, leadership opportunities. Lizotte mentioned small class sizes, strong PTA, multiple high school options. Kelly emphasized parental involvement and reduced extracurricular overload.
• Public Questions:
  • Balancing wants, needs, and budget: Gortell stressed understanding costs and state funding. Godbout noted deferred facilities maintenance. Kelly suggested using printed books to save on digital renewal costs. Lizotte recommended stripping budgets down and rebuilding.
  • Providing more detailed information to Budget Committee: Lizotte and Kelly promised transparency. Godbout noted increased communication in recent years. Gortell recalled his budget committee experience and detailed past deliberations.
• Closing Statements:
  • Lizotte: Focus on financial perspective and savings.
  • Kelly: Promised to be eyes and ears, ask tough questions.
  • Godbout: Emphasized strategic planning as key for the future.
  • Gortell: Urged collaboration with Pinkerton on special ed and better nutrition/exercise for students.

Budget Committee Candidate Forum

• Opening Remarks (including letters read from absent candidates):
  • Darren Greenberg (absent, letter): Incumbent vice chair, seeking re-election to continue balancing municipality and student needs.
  • Gary Yagnan (absent, letter): Retired senior VP, stressed experience managing large budgets and controlling wasteful spending.
  • George Harrington: Master’s in Public Administration, worked as budget analyst in Ohio, detailed and budget-oriented.
  • Chow Kelly: Also running for School Board; fiscally responsible, owns investment properties, believes in smaller government.
  • Yuri Pelosof: Immigrant from Russia, volunteer on Planning Board and Merrimack County delegation, moderate approach.
  • Abigail Shane: Incumbent chair (two years), lawyer, teacher at SNHU, advocates integrated long-term planning.
• Moderator-Led Questions:
  • Making difficult decisions when both sides have compelling arguments: Kelly stressed transparency and preventive maintenance. Pelosof noted two years of budget rejections by voters and need for moderation. Shane emphasized communication and education. Harrington called for compromise and education.
  • Important qualities for Budget Committee: Pelosof cited ability to hold the line and communicate with both sides. Shane listed curiosity, preparation, collaboration. Harrington stressed working together and respecting opinions. Kelly highlighted active listening, integrity, and passion.
  • Maintaining services without significant tax increases: Shane pointed to limited revenue sources and state aid cuts. Harrington said weighing cuts against savings. Kelly suggested trimming unnecessary services and questioning vehicle replacement mileage (e.g., retiring police cars at 100k miles). Pelosof questioned if new building footprints (e.g., scale building doubling) are necessary.
  • Collaboration with Town Council, School Board, department heads: Harrington called for more regular meetings. Kelly said she would attend other boards’ meetings. Pelosof emphasized communication on CIP deadlines. Shane noted existing representatives and good information flow.
• Public Questions:
  • Conflict of interest (Wayne Gortell to Chow Kelly): NH state law prohibits simultaneous service on School Board and Budget Committee. Kelly said she would choose one position if elected to both, likely School Board.
  • Budget committee chair performance (David Smith to Abigail Shane): Shane defended the committee’s work and said proposed budgets differ only slightly from defaults.
  • Long-term thinking (Dick Newwald to Abigail Shane): Shane highlighted trust funds and capital planning to spread costs.
  • Asking more questions of School Board (Tony LeCass to all Budget Committee candidates): Harrington, Kelly, Pelosof agreed more questioning was needed; Shane cited existing communication channels.
• Closing Statements:
  • Shane: Thanked for service, seeks re-election to continue work.
  • Harrington: Detailed background in government and IT, finds efficient solutions.
  • Kelly: Promises to be eyes and ears, attend meetings, encourage citizen participation.
  • Pelosof: Bipartisan experience, helped pass state budget, wants to bring budgets voters will approve.

Key Outcomes

• No decisions or votes were made during the forum. Candidates presented their positions and answered questions.
• Candidates for Town Council, School Board, and Budget Committee conveyed their platforms, with notable disagreements on development, budget transparency, and use of solar energy.
• The forum highlighted tensions between fiscal restraint and maintaining services, particularly around rising property taxes and special education costs.
• Chow Kelly confirmed she would resign from one office if elected to both School Board and Budget Committee due to legal incompatibility.
• Absent candidates (Keith Judge, Darren Greenberg, Gary Yagnan) had their letters read, outlining their qualifications and priorities.
• The event was recorded and will be available for later viewing.