By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — There are now two contested races for School Committee that will be appearing on the Town Election ballot on Tuesday, April 9.
Planning Board Chair Brian Charville pulled nomination papers for a three-year term on the School Committee on Jan. 17. He has joined a three-candidate race for two three-year seats that currently includes School Committee Chair Kate DePrizio and Pine Street resident Brendan Cooney.
“I’m inspired to serve on our School Committee because I think each of the Lynnfield Public Schools is primed to take its capabilities and educational outcomes to the next level, and I want to be a leader in helping students and teachers see even greater success,” Charville wrote in an email sent to the Villager. “The level of interest that recent events have generated among parents, teachers, administrators and town officials means that there is tremendous energy available to be tapped – whether it be parents volunteering, teachers shaping and expanding curricula or Town Meeting continuing strong financial support. The schools are Lynnfield’s best asset, and we all want them to reach their maximum potential.”
Charville, who also ran for School Committee three years ago, attended public schools through high school. The Willard Lane resident went on to attend Duke University and the Wake Forest University School of Law.
“I’m an attorney and lead a real estate and construction company,” stated Charville. “In my job, every day I have to set and enforce goals, hire and encourage staff, and develop and adhere to budgets, all while growing and advancing the organization. Those are professional skills that will translate to successful School Committee service.”
Charville has served on the Planning Board for the past seven years.
“I have been the Planning Board’s chair for almost my entire time on the board and, in that role, I lead the board’s agenda and meetings,” stated Charville. “I am a regular presenter at Lynnfield Town Meeting and interact on the Planning Board’s behalf with the Select Board, town administration and the Finance Committee. As chair of the Planning Board, I ensure that the board’s work is fair, transparent, smart and follows the law. I have led Planning Board efforts to bring the community together to shape new subdivisions, expand open space and add trails, bring the Tesla Supercharger to MarketStreet, enact an effective Tree Preservation Bylaw, update the town’s comprehensive plan and make recommendations at Town Meeting. People trust my continued service, and constituents and fellow School Committee members can rely upon me as a representative and colleague.”
Charville is also a Cub Scout leader, and has coached his children’s basketball, baseball, flag football and soccer teams. He and his wife, Bridget, have a fifth grader attending Lynnfield Middle School, and have a fourth grader and a second grader at Summer Street School.
“We love the Lynnfield Public Schools,” wrote Charville.
Charville said he would be a positive addition to the School Committee.
“I know Lynnfield’s people and values, and the people of Lynnfield know my approach and values — being dedicated, straightforward and responsive,” stated Charville.
In addition to Charville, the three-year School Committee race features DePrizio running for her second term while Cooney is running for office for the first time. School Committee member Phil McQueen announced he is not running for a third term earlier this month.
The Town Election also features a contested race for two one-year seats on the School Committee. Bryant Street resident Kristen Grieco Elworthy, Russet Lane resident Jenny Sheehan and Winchester Drive resident Kimberly Baker Donahue are looking to succeed former School Committee Chair Rich Sjoberg and Vice Chair Stacy Dahlstedt, who resigned last month in the wake of the ongoing crisis facing the school system.
Elworthy returned her nomination papers on Jan. 9, and Town Clerk Amanda Haggstrom has certified them. Sheehan dropped off her papers on Jan. 12, and they have been certified.
Select Board Chair Joe Connell turned in his nomination papers to the Town Clerk’s Office on Monday, Jan. 22, and they have been certified. He is running for a second three-year term.
Finance Committee/Library Building Committee (LBC) member Joe Gallagher had his papers for a three-year term on the Board of Library Trustees certified on Monday. He is running for office for the first time.
There have been no candidates who have pulled papers for town moderator over the last three weeks. Incumbent Town Moderator Joe Markey announced in late December that he will not be running for a sixth one-year term due to family and professional responsibilities.
Board of Assessors Chair Don Garrity pulled nomination papers for a fourth three-year term on Jan. 8.
Library Trustees Russell Boekenkroeger and Andrew Kenneally have yet to announce whether they are running for re-election. Boekenkroeger and Kenneally each have the option to run for three-year terms.
Elected officials and prospective candidates looking to run for office are able to pull nomination papers at the Town Clerk’s Office. The Town Clerk’s Office has been relocated to Senior Center/Lynnfield Public Schools Central Office, 525 Salem St., due to construction of the new $63.5 million public safety buildings and Town Hall project.
Candidates will need to receive the signatures of 50 registered voters in order to have their 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.