Jessica Menzone, an employee for the Town of Southwick, places a paper election ballot in a voting machine as part of a test for the upcoming local election and town meeting. The local Annual Election and Town Meeting will be on May 13, 2014 and May 20, 2014, respectively. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – Although Southwick Town Clerk Michelle Hill is always hopeful every eligible resident will exercise their right to vote, she is not very optimistic this time around.
“I always hope for 100-percent but it’s an uncontested ballot except for one race, so in reality, there will probably be very low turnout,” said Hill.
Southwick’s registered voters can weigh-in on Election Day this Tuesday, May 13.
The one contested race is for the Park and Recreation Commission one-year seat. The post was made available by the resignation of Li-Ling Waller and the person elected will serve the remainder of her term – one year.
Running for the seat are residents Jocelyn S. Linnekin and Jeanne Reed Waldron.
Parks and Rec Commissioners Susan E. Grabowski and Kelly Magni are also seeking re-election for three-year terms.
Incumbent Russell S. Fox is also hoping to retain his seat on the Board of Selectmen, as are School Committee members Jeffrey T. Houle and Jean Marie McGivney-Burelle. Both incumbents are seeking another three-year term.
David R. Recoulle is running for a three-year term as an assessor, and Roy M. Benson is running for a three-year set on the Cemetery Commission.
Gene H. Theroux is seeking election to the Dickinson School Trust, which is a three-year term.
Water Commissioner Luther F. Hosmer is hoping to be re-elected to a three-year term on the Water Commission, while fellow commissioner David Brian Meczywor is running for re-election to a one-year seat.
Library Trustee Michael J.McMahon and Nancy M. Zdun are running for three-year terms, and David Howard Sutton is running for a five-year term on the Planning Board. That seat was vacated by Selectman Joseph Deedy upon election and was filled by Terence Welch, who will likely go back to his previous position as an associate member of the board.
Emily Susan Brzoska is seeking re-election to a three-year term on the Board of Health, Elizabeth G. Malone is running for a five-year term on the Housing Authority, and longtime moderator James Putnam II is seeking re-election as the Town Moderator for a three-year term.
Hil said the polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. All three precincts must vote at Town Hall.
