Selectman resignation opens one-year term on ballot
By Susan Gonsalves, Contributing Writer
Westborough – A one-year term for Westborough Board of Selectmen will be added to the election ballot as the result of Leigh Emery’s resignation.
Chair Shelby Marshall noted that she just received word of the resignation shortly before the meeting started. It became effective immediately.
As issues related to the town election were on the agenda, she wanted to ensure the ballot was complete. There are also two, three-year Board of Selectmen seats, those currently held by Marshall and Syed Hashmi.
The rest of the ballot includes an open five-year term on the Planning Board and an open seat for two years on the Trustees of the Public Library.
Kristen Vincent is seeking another three-year term on the School Committee and Jill Dupree is a candidate for re-election to the Housing Authority for five years.
Finally, there are three seats for three-year terms on the Trustees of the Public Library with incumbents Karen Fay, James Holmes and Carolyn Spring on the ballot.
The last day to obtain nomination papers to run is Friday, Jan. 8 by 5 p.m.
As a reminder, Selectman Ian Johnson noted that a candidate must specify the seat for which they are running when they are taking out papers.
A discussion about the election day itself, Tuesday, March 2, centered around the hours the polls should be open at Town Hall. It was determined that 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. would accommodate the most people, taking into consideration people who are working, attending school, etc.
Town Clerk Wendy Mickel suggested a few possibilities for shorter hours and noted that voting by mail or in person on election day are the options. The mail in votes must be received by election day and are counted that day.
She said that about 500 people voted in the last election, 80 percent by mail. The status of the pandemic may impact turnout and in what manner, she said.
In a related matter, accommodations needed for the election could be among the expenses covered by the CARES ACT, according to Town Manager Kristi Williams.
