SOUTHWICK – With the upcoming town election on May 14, there are number of town positions that voters will choose representation.
- Board of Assessors – vacant
- Cemetery Commission – Sharon Horacek
- Constables – Kelly Magni, William Terry Jr.
- Dickinson School Trustees – Kristi L. Deedy
- Board of Health – Jean Nilsson
- Southwick Housing Authority – Elizabeth Malone
- Library Trustees – Tammy Ciak-Bissaillon, Carol Geryk
- Park and Recreation – David DeiDolori, Michael Massarelli
- Planning Board – David Sutton
- Select Board – Joe Deedy
- District School Committee – Amy Stack, George Leblanc Jr.
- Water Commissioners – Edward Johnson
The town election will take place on May 14.
Of the 12 boards and committees that will be on the ballot for election, there is only one contested race, which is the Housing Authority. Incumbent Elizabeth Malone, of the Democratic party, is seeking re-election for a five-year term and is running against Republican Sean Langan.
Current Select Board Chairman Joe Deedy is up for re-election seeking his third term and has no challengers from the either the Democratic or Republican party. The only challenger Deedy could now potentially face is a resident in town who conducts a sticker campaign in order to be a write-in candidate.
Running unopposed last year, Deedy first ran for a Select Board seat six years ago when the current Select Board member, Art Pinell, chose not to run for re-election. Deedy, a Republican candidate, was able to defeat Marcus Phelps for the open Select Board seat. Phelps is now a member of the Planning Board.
Having been on the Select Board for six years, Deedy has seen a number of boards and committees up for election during those years but the seat is not contested and the incumbent wins. No matter which political party people are a part of, Deedy is unclear why people choose not to run for an open seat to benefit the community.
“The appetite is to have more people elected to more positions,” said Deedy. “If you look at our history, we can’t fill seats, I think there’s issues.”
When a potential candidate chooses to run, there is a series of deadlines that individuals must follow. However, according to the Town Clerk, the deadlines for this year’s election have already passed.
The Town of Southwick holds election each May and anyone interested in being a candidate should contact the Clerk’s office in January for the following spring elections.
