‘Sad’ turnout for Annual Town Election

May 27, 2016 | Chris Goudreau
cgoudreau@thereminder.com

Sean Kennedy was elected to the School Committee by a vote of 509 to 471, defeating incumbent Michael Mazzuca.
Reminder Publications photo by Chris Goudreau

WILBRAHAM – Town Clerk Beverly Litchfield said she considers the low turnout for the May 21 Annual Town Election to be “sad.”

Just 10 percent of registered voters cast ballots this year.  

She added, “People don’t come out to vote for their local government … I don’t know what different people’s reasons are. I just wished that they wouldn’t only think of state and federal level. They should think of their own hometown because it affects them the fastest.”

The tightest race was between incumbent School Committee member and Republican Town Caucus nominee Michael Mazzuca and newcomer Democratic candidate Sean Kennedy, who defeated Mazzuca by 38 votes, 509 to 471. Kennedy will serve a three-year term on the committee.

Kennedy said he believes his background in project management would be beneficial to the School Committee because he has experience with communicating and building a consensus in a group.   

He noted most recently his company developed wireless Internet for Fenway Park.

“There’s so many moving pieces to everything and you have to keep the ball moving forward, but you have to get everyone on board,” Kennedy explained.

He said he believes the district needs a new superintendent who is a communicator and would bring people together.

“We need someone who’s not afraid to make the tough decisions, but in a way that take into account everyone’s concerns,” Kennedy said. “For example, people in Hampden were worried about their real estate values going down if they lose [Thornton W. Burgess Middle School]. Has anyone talked to the real estate agents in the area and done a poll? How can this affect them and is there something we can do to balance this out?”

He added he believes in creating a single unified middle school for the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District (HWRSD).

“I’m going to try my best to see if I can help this move forward,” Kennedy said. “It’s going to take a lot of work with Wilbraham parents and Hampden parents.”

Mazzuca said he would be available to Kennedy to help him be successful on the committee.

“All that I care about is the kids and the education,” he noted. “If there’s anything I can do to help him, that would be great. I still plan on being involved in the community in one way, shape, or form.”

He said he believes there are four important issues facing HWRSD in the near future, including middle school unification, the search for a new superintendent, issues with Common Core, and “making sure that we’re not gouging the tax payers.”

Incumbent Board of Selectmen Chair Robert Boilard was reelected for a third term on the board and will serve a three-year term. His opponent, Democratic nominee Thomas Kenefick III, dropped out of the race, but his name still appeared on the ballot. Boilard received 683 votes and Kenefick gained 273.

Boilard said he’s looking forward to serving another term as selectman and hopes to continue to help the community.

“We still have to deal with the [middle school unification] issue and help them deal through that as a selectman,” he added. “Also, we’ve got the senior center issue.”

Boilard said he would be in favor of utilizing Stony Hill Elementary or Memorial School as a location for a new senior center.

Incumbent Board of Assessors Chair Roger Roberge overtook newcomer Donald Flannery by a vote of 636 to 292 for a three-year term on the board.

Roberge said he believes the most important aspect in the Assessor’s Office is making sure that appropriate evaluations of real estate properties in the town are on file and that taxes are assessed fairly.

“Property values are pretty solid,” he explained. “Our tax rate is creeping up towards that $25 mark, which we are concerned about, but if we see an increase in values then we’ll see a slight decrease in that rate … We have some new development in town and so there’s a little bit of growth there, which we love.”

Incumbent Water Commissioner Mary McCarthy overtook challenger Christine Goonan by a vote of 497 to 448 for a three-year term in the position.

Two people were elected to the Library Board of Trustees, including incumbent James Jurgens, who received 615 votes, and Democratic Caucus nominee Marjorie Williams, who gained 454 votes. J. Patrick Decoteau placed in last place with 306 votes. Both seats are for three-year terms.

George Gordon was elected as Cemetery Commissioner for a three-year term and Incumbent Planning Board member John McCloskey was reelected for a five-year term. Both candidates ran unopposed.

Got a comment about this story? Go to http://speakout.thereminder.com and let us know.

Share this: