Small number of voters pass Proposition 2 1/2 override

Date: 6/14/2011

June 13, 2011

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

LONGMEADOW — Longmeadow's Annual Town Election yielded one of the lowest turnouts in decades on June 7.

A mere 535, or 4.46 percent, of the town's 11,983 registered voters went to the polls, the lowest total in approximately 30 years, Town Clerk Katherine Ingram said.

"I looked back in the records as far back as the 80s and it does seem to be the lowest turnout for an annual election," she said. "We have had a couple of primaries and state elections since then that have been lower."

Ingram gave Reminder Publications a projected turnout of 10 percent before the election, stating that the lack of contested races would keep voters from coming out. She said the lack of those races was unusual for the town.

"This is my fourth annual town election and usually there are at least a couple [contested races] going on," she said.

The only truly contested vote on the warrant ballot was Question 1, which asked if the town should be allowed a Proposition 2 1/2 override to repair the drainage systems on Ely Way and Englewood Road.

The override was approved by voters, who were extremely split on the issue. A total of 267 residents said, "Yes" to the override, while 234 said, "No."

Marie Angelides was elected to a three-year seat on the Select Board, accumulating 404 votes.

Michael Clark, 21, became the youngest member of the School Committee with 366 votes, joining incumbents John Fitzgerald and Gwendolyn Bruns, who garnered 343 and 341 votes, respectively.

Laurie Flynn officially earned her first elected political position, earning 370 votes to gain a one-year seat on the School Committee.

Incumbent Walter Gunn was re-elected to the Planning Board for another five years as Roy Johansen also received another term on a three-year seat on that board.

Stephen Metz was elected to a five-year seat on the Housing Authority.

While turnout was low, voters were not without a sense of humor. Write-in votes were cast for Alfred E. Newman for every position on the ballot, a reference to the fictional character Alfred E. Neuman, who has been portrayed on Mad magazine covers.