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Date: 3/30/2022
SOUTH HADLEY – Residents of South Hadley will vote on eight positions, including two seats on the Board of Health, at the Annual Town Election on April 12.
The two candidates running to fill the two Board of Health positions are unopposed. Christine A McKiernan is running for re-election, and Stephen Frantz runs as a new candidate for the position. Current Board of Health Chair Johanna Ravenhurst, who was elected to a one-year term in 2021, is not seeking re-election.
Running unopposed for the open Selectboard seat for a three-year term is Renee Sweeney. The School Committee also looks to fill a three-year term for which Eric Friesner will run unopposed, as will Lynda Pickbourn who is running for a one-year term on the committee.
The Municipal Light Board has a three-year term up for election for which incumbent Kurt Schenker seeks re-election against challengers Ronald Coutu and Paul Dobosh. The Municipal Light Board oversees the South Hadley Electric Light Department (SHELD) and responds directly to the needs and input of local residents and business owners.
The Municipal Light Board also sets utility policy and oversees SHELD’s operations through the department’s manager. Denise Presley will run unopposed for a two-year term on the Municipal Light Board.
Running unopposed for a three-year term on the Planning Board is Joanna Brown, who is seeking re-election. Incumbent Thomas Reidy looks to be re-elected for a three-term on the Board of Assessors.
In the race for Trustees of the Public Library, incumbents Robert Berwick and Barbara Merchant are running unopposed. While three trustee positions are available to be filled, these are the only two candidates running for the position.
Town Clerk Carlene Hamlin said interest from candidates has been lower and could be attributed to the positions available in the election.
In the Town Election last April, the town saw a 17 percent turnout rate of their 12,040 registered voters in the year. This was average compared to previous years as there was a 14.5 percent turnout in 2019, and a 24 percent turnout in 2018. Based on the voter turnout trends of the town, with more positions available for groups like the Selectboard or School Committee, the turnout is typically higher, she explained.
For each ballot, voters will also have to vote for their precinct representatives for Town Meeting members. In every district, the majority, if not all candidates running to represent their precinct are seeking re-election. There are eight positions available for each Town Meeting precinct.
Specimen ballots for the upcoming annual Town Election can be found by precinct on southhadley.org under elections.
The town is also looking for volunteer election workers leading up to election day. To qualify, you must be a registered voter and be able to work within the hours of approximately 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information on volunteering as an election worker, registered voters of South Hadley can contact the Town Clerk’s Office.
Hamlin added she is looking forward to seeing voters come to the polls and that all voting precincts will be reporting to the gym between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day. Voting will take place at the South Hadley High School located at 153 Newton St.