Published June 10, 2020
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Voters will head to the polls to cast ballots in the annual Town Election on Saturday, June 13.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Lynnfield High School. Similar to previous years, voters in all four precincts will be casting ballots at LHS.
In the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 virus pandemic, Town Clerk Linda Emerson said election workers will be undertaking a number of different safety precautions in order to keep voters safe. She said there will be masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, face shields and a one-way traffic flow at the polls. Social distancing protocols will also be used.
Additionally, voters will not be sharing pens when casting ballots. After a voter uses a pen, it will be placed in a box and will not be used again.
If residents feel uncomfortable about voting in person, Emerson said they can request a ballot in order to vote by mail. The deadline to request a ballot is Friday, June 12 at noon.
“All you need to do to request a ballot is write us a note or fill out a form online,” said Emerson during a recent press conference. “We do need a hard copy with your signature. We will mail you a ballot and you can either mail it back or put it in the drop box at Town Hall.”
In order to request an absentee ballot, voters should visit https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee/English-Absentee-Ballot-Application.pdf. If a voter wants to request a municipal election early ballot, they should visit https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2020-Municipal-Early-Ballot-Application.pdf.
There are no contested races in the Town Election.
“I believe the turnout is going to be low,” said Emerson.
Board of Selectmen Chairman Phil Crawford, who was elected to the board in April 2013, is running for a third three-year term.
School Committee Chairman Jamie Hayman, who has been the committee’s chairman for two years, is running for a third three-year term.
Political newcomer Edward Champy is running for a five-year term on the Planning Board. The Pagos Way resident works as the principal for Waypoint Companies, which is a general contractor and development company that specializes in constructing apartment buildings and condominium buildings. He will succeed longtime Planning Board member Charlie Wills, who decided not to run for re-election.
Town Moderator Joe Markey is running for a second one-year term.
Board of Library Trustees Chairman Bob Calamari is running for a fifth three-year term.
Library Trustee Andrew Kenneally, who was appointed to former Library Trustee Dr. Janine Rodrigues-Saldanha’s seat earlier this year, is running for a one-year term on the board.
Board of Assessors member Bonnie Celi is running for a third three-year term.
Cortland Lane resident John Nunziato is running for a five-year term on the Housing Authority. He will succeed current Housing Authority member Michael Walsh.
While there are no candidates running for a two-year term on the Housing Authority, recently appointed Housing Authority member Stephanie Petty, 1 Melch Rd., is running as a write-in candidate for the seat. She was appointed to former Housing Authority Vice Chairman Gerald Shulman’s seat during a joint Board of Selectmen and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners meeting in late February.
“I care deeply about our elderly community, and I want to do what I can to help, even in this small way,” Petty stated in a Facebook post. “In February of this year, I was appointed by Selectman Dick Dalton and Selectman Chris Barrett to fill the vacant seat for the Lynnfield Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners. I am now respectfully asking for your ‘write-in’ vote for an additional two-year term on the Board of Commissioners at Town Election on Saturday, June 13. I have been an attorney in Massachusetts since 2003 and I have extensive experience and expertise in many areas of the law including real estate, probate and various litigation.”
Petty also noted she is a member of Lynnfield Rotary and the Lynnfield Youth Soccer Club’s Board of Directors, which she said are “wonderful organizations who work tirelessly for our community.”
“I have three boys and, despite our busy schedule, it’s imperative to me they grow up with a sense of civic and community pride,” said Petty. “There’s no better way to teach than by example. If you would like to vote for me, please be sure to fill in the bubble and write Stephanie Petty in for the two-year term for Lynnfield Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners.”
State law requires town elections to be held each spring even if there are no contested races.