MERRIMACK – The threats to health and safety brought on by the COVID-19 virus prompted town officials to push election day back to May 12.

Initially scheduled for Tuesday, officials first moved election day to the last Tuesday of the month, but have since adjusted it again.

Another postponement isn’t out of the question, but for now the May 12 date stands.

Voters, once they do get to the polls, will find seven articles on this year’s warrant, plus the election of candidates for various town offices.

Of the six offices appearing on the ballot, only one race is contested: Three candidates are running for two open seats on Town Council.

The two incumbents – Bill Boyd, currently the council vice chairman, and Finlay Rothhaus – are both seeking reelection, while Charles Lafond, of 7 Linden Way, is running for one of the seats.

Both seats are for three-year terms on the seven-member council.

On March 9, according to Merrimack police and court documents, police arrested Lafond, 60, after they were called to a local residence for an abandoned 911 call around 3:30 p.m.

Police said officers spoke with the homeowner, whom they identified as Lafond, and described him as “immediately confrontational and attempting to leave in his car.”

Lafond allegedly “denied any such call being made,” police said, but a person identified as a family member “stated that Lafond (allegedly) did call 911.”

Upon further investigation, police said, officers learned Lafond allegedly damaged a window and a screen in the home, and when they told him he was under arrest, he allegedly “resisted by pulling his arms away.”

Police said Lafond allegedly “continued to be uncooperative, and purposely fell to the ground several times, forcing officers to lift him into the cruiser for transport” to police headquarters, police said in the report.

Lafond, who police said was charged with two counts of criminal mischief and one count of resisting arrest or detention, all Class B misdemeanors, was arraigned the following day in Merrimack district court.

He was freed on personal recognizance bail pending a trial management conference, which is scheduled for today in the Merrimack court.

Meanwhile, the articles voters will decide upon include the proposed $33 million town operating budget, and a measure that calls for $9.5 million for upgrades to various components of the wastewater treatment system.

The town council unanimously recommends passage of both articles. The wastewater treatment proposal requires a two-thirds majority to pass.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at three locations: James Mastricola Upper Elementary School, Merrimack Middle School, and St. John Neumann Church.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.