Mattapoisett voters approved a $200,000 debt exclusion to pay for phase two of the town's five-year road improvement plan at the Tuesday, May 22 town election.

The $200,000 appropriation was approved at Town Meeting contingent on receiving approval at the election.

Debt exclusions typically raise property taxes for a fixed period of time for a specific project; however at Town Meeting, Selectman Paul Silva said, "We are retiring debt as we go along every year so this basically is replacing debt that is falling off the books this year."

Town Administrator Mike Gagne explained that as debt from previous town projects is paid off, the town is using it to pay for new projects. "As they’re dropping off we’re absorbing new project, but not going over the current debt levels," he said.

As such, residents will not experience a tax increase due to the project.

The debt exclusion was the only question on the ballot and passed with 172 affirmative votes to 115.

The remainder of the ballot featured only one uncontested race, which likely attributed to the modest 7.85 percent turnout of the town's 4,559 registered voters.

The seat for Water and Sewer Commissioner went to Albert Meninno who received 172 votes, surpassing his opponent Christopher Jaskolk by 8 votes.

In uncontested races, Selectman Paul Silva received 281 votes. For his second term Silva said, “The big goal would be to put a 10 year capital needs plan together and the means for which it’s going to be supported. If we don’t plan for it, it’s going to be a major issue.”

John Mathieu received 280 votes for another five-year term on the Planning Board.

The School Committee had two open seats. Chair Gracinda Knox received 242 votes to continue her service on the committee. In her next term Knox, who has championed policy reform, said, “I will, not I might, I will develop a new budget policy,” she said. Newcomer James Muse secured the committee’s second seat with 228 votes.

Highway Surveyor Barry Denham received 300 votes for another term in office.

For a complete listing of results, see the pdf below.