By Beth David, Editor
Fairhaven’s annual election is slated for April 5, 2021 (COVID permitting) and nomination papers should have been turned in by 12/12. There are four contested races as of 2/16, but candidates have until 3/3 to change their minds and withdraw.
Up for re-election this year is Bob Espindola for Selectboard. He will face challenger Lisa Plante.
School Committee has two seats up and three candidates. Incumbents Donna McKenna and Colin Veitch have both returned papers, along with challenger Cathleen Marchessault.
The Board of Health has one vacant seat up for election. The seat is currently held by Geoffrey Haworth who was appointed to fill the vacancy when Michael Silvia quit abruptly last year. Mr. Haworth did not take out papers for the seat. Barbara Acksen, who held a seat on the board for one term in the past, and Kevin Gallagher will face off in that race.
Tree Warden also has a surprise contested rate. Incumbent G. Bourne Knowles will face Don Carlos Callasius for that seat.
The Board of Public Works also has two seats up for election, with incumbents Robert “Hoppy” Hobson and Marcus Ferro on the ballot. Neither one will face an opponent on the ballot.
On the Planning Board, incumbent Cathy Melanson will run for her seat, and David Braga will run for the second full term seat up for re-election. Incumbent Jay Malaspino did not take out papers for this seat.
Jessica Fidalgo will also run unopposed for the unexpired term of the seat she has been appointed to fill.
Housing Authority has one slot up for re-election, and one unexpired term on the ballot. Both slots were filled by appointment in December due to vacancies. Ronnie Manzone and Marc Scanlon will each run unopposed for their seats.
Town Moderator Mark Sylvia will also be unopposed in his re-election bid.
Colleen Silvia did not did not return papers for her seat as Commissioner of Trust Funds, leaving a vacancy, as no one else will be on the ballot for that position.
Voters have until Tuesday, 3/16, to register to vote in the town election. The clerk’s office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day.
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