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Date: 6/26/2023
PALMER — On June 13, the town of Palmer hosted its annual election, drawing just 3% of the voting population to the polls.
The election featured just one contested race — for School Committee — and there were no ballot questions while the Planning Board and Town Council races were uncontested.
The School Committee had three candidates vying for two open seats which Matthew J. Lovell and Bonny B. Rathbone won over Joseph Nompleggi. This will be Rathbone’s third term serving on the Palmer School Committee and she has been the chair of the committee as well.
“I am very happy that I was reelected to serve again,” said Rathbone, who received 170 votes. “I have lived in Palmer since 1974. It’s a great town to live in. We have so many residents who volunteer their time to numerous committees, events, and projects in town.”
She continued, “My passion has and always will be education. I want what’s best for the students, the schools and the district. The students are our future and we want to offer them the best possible opportunities. I sincerely thank the support I have received from the community.”
Lovell, the top vote-getter for School Committee with 182, could not be reached as of press time.
Robert Lavoie was reelected as one of three councilors at large on the Palmer Town Council making this his fourth term which will run through 2026. Lavoie stated, “I’ll continue to work with the Council, Town Manager and local, regional and state officials to ensure our community is being represented in the best interest of Palmer, as do each of the members of our Council.”
Lavoie told Reminder Publishing that Palmer is on the cusp of new economic growth, beginning with the new Liberty Plaza where the former Lizak property is located on Thorndike Street. He said Sherwood Lumber and Adaptas/IMI Life Sciences have maximized their respective properties in one of Palmer’s industrial parks. There are often outside interests inquiring as to suitable properties available in town, he added, however, due to a host of variables including zoning, current owner marketing strategies, and square footage constraints, Palmer may be unable to facilitate many of the inquiries it receives. That being said, new opportunities arise and each is reviewed by the respective town agencies before action is taken, Lavoie said.
There were two seats available for the Planning Board. Scott C. Day and Shelby Francis Lamothe ran unopposed and won those seats. Philip J. Hebert was reelected District 1 councilor uncontested.
Two hundred seventy-eight residents turned out to vote.
Town Clerk Susan Coache said, “As the town clerk, I do my due diligence. I’m so proud of my election workers. They show up, do their process and do a great job so I’m happy for that. Next year we’ll have four elections, so you’ll see a much more robust turnout.”
Election results are posted on the town website at www.townofpalmer.com/townclerk and posted in Town Hall.