Precincts 2 & 3 Polls Move to PRESCOTT SCHOOL For April 30 Joint Elections

The polling location for Precincts 2 and 3 has been moved to the Prescott School gym, following a vote by Selectmen. This location will be in operation for the April 30 joint local and state primary election. Voters from these precincts will access the facility from the rear of the building which is handicapped accessible. There is ample onsite parking, and the plan is for police details to reduce any traffic congestion on Main Street.

This is a change from the Groton Dunstable Middle School that had served as the polling location for the two precincts for a number of years. The impetus for the change stemmed from concern for protection and safety of students in the GDRSD Middle School, and eliminating potential access of unauthorized persons, especially following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

Town Clerk Michael Bouchard investigated several options and presented three to Selectmen; Prescott School, Groton Pool & Golf Club, and Town Hall. Although all three options would have accommodated the precincts, the Board chose Prescott, and will assess how this site works as a polling location. They felt that the Town Hall option would present some parking issues, and that the Pool & Golf Club had limited handicap access, and would require some uphill walking to get into the building.

Middle School Performing Arts Center will continue as the site for Town Meetings. Selectmen also voted to hold Annual Town Meeting Monday, April 22, continued to Tuesday, April 23, with the third session, if necessary, is slated for Monday, April 29. This will be the first time that the opening session of Annual Town Meeting will be continued to the following night - which is a Tuesday.

Although they like the idea of holding Town Meetings on a Saturday, the Board opted not to hold Town Meeting on Saturday April 20 because this falls at the end of the school vacation and many families would just be returning to Groton.