Markey stepping down as Moderator
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Nomination papers for the Town Election will be available in the Town Clerk’s Office on Thursday, Jan. 4, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Due to the $63.5 million public safety buildings and Town Hall project, the Town Clerk’s Office has been relocated to the Senior Center/Lynnfield Public Schools Central Office, 525 Salem St. The Town Election will take place on Tuesday, April 9.
The municipal election will feature seven offices on the ballot this spring, including town moderator. Incumbent Town Moderator Joe Markey announced in a Letter to the Editor this week that he will not be running for a sixth one-year term this spring.
“I am writing to inform the residents of Lynnfield that after careful consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election for the position of Town Moderator in 2024,” Markey wrote. “It has been an honor to serve in this capacity since April of 2019, having been elected to five terms. “Over the past years, I have had the privilege of presiding over numerous Regular and Special Town Meetings, each one contributing to the growth and development of our community.
“One of my primary goals upon assuming the role of Town Moderator was to streamline the Town Meeting process, ensuring that our gatherings were conducted in a manner that was both efficient and inclusive,” Markey continued. “I am proud to say that during my tenure, we successfully achieved this objective by implementing measures that fostered a safe and welcoming environment for all residents. Running Town Meetings with efficiency and inclusivity has been a priority, and I believe we have made significant strides in achieving these goals.”
The Town Election also includes a three-year term for Select Board. Chair Joe Connell will be eligible to run for a second three-year term.
Two seats on the School Committee will be appearing on the ballot. School Committeeman Phil McQueen will have the option to run for a third three-year term while School Committee member Kate DePrizio will be eligible to run for a second three-year term.
Planning Board member Amy MacNulty will be able to run for a full five-year term in the April Town Election. She has been serving the remaining three years of former Planning Board member Tom Wallace’s term.
Library Trustees members Russell Boekenkroeger and Andrew Kenneally will each have the option to run for three-year terms.
Board of Assessors Chair Donald Garrity is eligible to run for a fifth three-year term.
Town Clerk Amanda Haggstrom informed the Villager that candidates will need to receive the signatures of 50 registered voters in order to have a candidate’s name appear on the ballot. The last day to submit nomination papers is Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. The last day for candidates to have their name removed from the municipal ballot is Thursday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m.