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Hampden sees small voter turn out for uncontested elections

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



HAMPDEN Only 131 of the town's approximate 5,300 residents came out to vote for the town election on May 5. None of the open positions on the ballot were contested, however.

Selectman John Flynn kept his seat and Richard Patullo remained as the town's moderator.

Lisa Morace was re-elected to a three-year position with the School Committee. Harold House kept his position with the Park Commission, Beth Burger remained as a Library Trustee and Joseph Dolben was re-elected to the Planning Board.

Flynn, while waiting for the results, pointed out that of the 11 residents running for positions, six of them were new candidates.

"That's important," Flynn noted. "It shows that people care about what goes on in this town."

The new candidates elected were Robert Makuch as an assessor, Frederick Kapinos to the Park Commission, Raymond Andree as a Library Trustee, Robert Howarth to the Planning Board and Jacqueline Weissbach and Kathleen Flynn to the Housing Authority.

A three-year position for the Cemetery Commission was open, but no one ran for the seat and there was only one write-in, Michele Lavallee-Specht, election warden, said. For someone to be elected, they need a minimum of five votes.