AGAWAM/WEST SPRINGFIELD – As the deadline to withdraw papers has passed for both Agawam and West Springfield, the finalized list of candidates has been released for those running in the 2021 election.

In Agawam, Mayor William P. Sapelli is running for another four year term. His opponent is Charles Alvanos.

For the Agawam City Council, candidates vying for 11 positions include incumbents George Bitzas, Cecilia Calabrese, Paul C. Cavallo, Christopher C. Johnson, Gina M. Letellier, Dino R. Mercadante, Robert E. Rossi, Rosemary Sandlin, Gerald F. Smith, Anthony R. Suffriti and Mario Tedeschi Jr. as well as challengers Thomas David Hendrickson and Anthony J. Russo.

Candidates for the six Agawam School Committee seats are incumbents Shelley M. Borgatti-Reed, Dawn M. Dube and Kerri A. O’Connor along with challengers Edward R. Champigny, Albert Christopher, Stephen C. Davis,  Robert Lawler, Catherine McDougal, Michael Donald Perry and Wendy T. Rua.

Sapelli shared that two of the current School Committee members are not running for re-election, resulting in four incumbents and six challengers.

Town Clerk Vincent Gioscia said all of these candidates will appear on the ballot in November. He added, “There is no need to have a preliminary election in October.”

These candidates are pending certification, which was ongoing as of press time.

In West Springfield, Mayor William Reichelt is running unopposed. “I am excited for the opportunity to lead West Side for another four years,” said Reichelt.

Similarly, the four district councilors are all running unopposed – District One, Michael Scott Eger; District Two, Michael John LaFlamme; District Three, Anthony R. Distefano; and District Four, Daniel M. O’Brien. Eger, Distefano and O’Brien are incumbents.

For the five Councilor at Large positions, there are seven candidates including incumbents Brian J. Clune, Brian J. Griffin, Sean Powers  and Edward C. Sullivan and challengers Marc C. Follett,  Kenneth P. Ritucci and Jamie Smith.

The other contested race is for the School Committee with five seats available. Candidates are incumbents Kathleen A. Alevras, Nancy M. Farrell, William P. Garvey, Colleen Marcus and challengers Diana Coyne, Robert M. Mancini, Atonino R. Sorcinelli and Kira Thompson.

Town Clerk Otto Frizzell described candidate participation this year as “average.” He said, “We haven’t needed a preliminary election in several years and the potential of only eliminating two candidates from either Councilor At-Large and/or School Committee cannot be considered an abnormal level of participation.”

He added, “I would encourage voters to reach out to the candidates, both incumbents and challengers, to get a sense of their positions and goals to make the best decisions possible for the town.”

Reichelt said, “I look forward to working with the newly elected council and School Committee in 2022 to continue the town’s progress in upgrading infrastructure, improving our schools, optimizing economic development, maximizing workforce efficiencies, fighting blight and providing the best possible services to our residents.”

The general election will take place on Nov. 2.