Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 7/19/2022
SOUTH HADLEY – The Selectboard voted unanimously on July 12 to conduct a special election in November to fill the vacant seat on the five-person body. The vacancy was created by the death of former Vice Chair Sarah Etelman on June 3.
The special election to fill the seat will take place the same day as the Nov. 8 general election.
Town Administrator Lisa Wong said that the town would publish a press release to let residents know when nomination papers will be made available. She added this information would also be posted on the town’s website.
The Selectboard’s decision comes after some contemplation on the best time to have an election to fill the seat.
In a previous meeting last month, Wong explained to the Selectboard that should they choose to leave the seat vacant until the position’s term expired in April 2023, 200 registered voters could override the decision and force an election.
The board had waited on the decision to allow for any feedback from the public but there was no push for this option from town voters. With the statewide primary coming Sept. 6 and the general election on Nov. 8, the board had both dates as an option to add the special election.
The decision was ultimately made to conduct the special election during the general election to save money even though there will still be costs due to the fact the Selectboard election will appear on a second ballot.
There was little debate amongst board members as they were looking to fill the seat sooner than later.
“I feel like we should go with the special election in November. I want to make sure that we as a board are doing our due diligence in having a five-member board representing the town,” said board member Andrea Miles. “The November election is already happening and costs will be lower. I don’t want us to have gone nine months with only a four-member board.”
Board member Renee Sweeney added that alignment for the November election should bring a nice turnout for what is an important seat in the town’s government.