CORNISH — Funding for the police department and the future of the George H. Stowell library sparked hefty debate at Cornish’s 255th Town Meeting on Tuesday.

A “good turnout” according to moderator Gwen Gallagher, well over 100 residents, more unmasked than not, gathered in the Cornish Elementary School gymnasium to address budgets and discuss town business.

Cornish holds one of the few remaining traditional floor meetings on the New Hampshire side of the Upper Valley.

A town operating budget of nearly $1.3 million was eventually passed after a lengthy discussion surrounding the proposed Cornish Police Department budget of $179,837, a more than 50% increase over last year’s spending.

Chief Doug Hackett, who has been working for the department for 30 years, spoke of the need for a full-time police officer in Cornish. He noted that he plans to retire in about four years.

“All the departments around us are starving for police officers,” Hackett said. “There’s just none to be had.”

Already, Cornish is unable to sustain a nighttime shift. Hackett explained that the town relies on Plainfield, Claremont and Windsor to provide backup as needed.

“As many times as possible, when someone calls for a police officer, I want it to be a Cornish police officer,” Hackett said.

He contends there is enough crime in Cornish to justify 24-hour officer coverage; he highlighted incidents of mental health emergencies, fraud and catalytic converter thefts.

Resident Jeff Katchen offered his support for Chief Hackett, sharing his observations on crime.

“Things happen in Cornish,” Katchen said.

Opposition to the increased police department budget was voiced by resident Brian Mayette, who is concerned about the possible tax impact of hiring a full-time officer.

The budget increase, Hackett explained, serves mainly to replace the three bullet-proof vests that expired last year. He also added that despite a competitive salary, it seems that “nobody wants to do this job anymore,” he said.

After the budget vote, Gallagher recognized longtime Cornish resident Ruth Rollins, who has served as Supervisor of Checklist for 46 years, Boy Scout leader for 35 years and has helped as Old Home Day secretary as well as director of the Cornish Fair. Voters stood in applause and then left their seats to mingle or visit the polls before discussing the remaining articles.

Near the end of the warrant, voters debated the use of funds to allow the George H. Stowell Library exploratory committee to conduct a feasibility study on the current status of the library building, as well as research relocating the library to the Cornish General Store, which owner Colleen O’Neill offered to the town last year.

O’Neill encouraged community members to get involved with the Cornish Community Initative, a nonprofit she has founded in an effort to support the library and raise at least $2 million for renovation expenses, should the town vote to move the library to the Cornish General Store location next year.

Some residents have expressed their desire to maintain the Stowell Library in its current location, a beloved historic building.

Cheston Newbold raised his hand to read a letter on behalf of Nancy Newbold, who advocated for keeping the library’s current location.

“The town needs a chance to look at plans for both locations, to understand the history of the Stowell Library and to be aware of all that the town is walking away from,” Newbold said.

Library trustee Laura Cousineau, who supports the move, said the focus should be on maintaining a library that meets the needs of residents, not preserving a historic building.

Stowell Library is not handicap-accessible, has only four parking spaces, no running water or septic system and limited usable floor space.

“The needs of the town have grown,” Cousineau said.

The Cornish General Store location would offer six times the floor space, more parking options, upgraded well and septic systems and a wheelchair-accessible ramp. The proposed library layout includes a community area, coffee and refreshment area, children’s area, and expanded collections areas.

Selectman Lyle Perry added that the work of the exploratory committee will be important no matter what decisions are made, since the current library building will need to be accessible either way.

The remaining articles passed with ease and voters donned their winter coats and said their goodbyes before heading home.

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