By Beth David, Editor
It looks like most incumbents will sail to victory this year in the Fairhaven elections this April. Only the School Committee and Planning Board have challengers. Candidates do, however, have until March 1 to withdraw papers, so there may be even fewer contested races if someone decides to pull out.
In the Select Board race only incumbents Charles K. Murphy, Sr. and Keith Silvia will be on the ballot, with two seats up for election.
For School Committee, long time member and chairperson Pam Kuechler did not pull papers to run again. Two seats are up on that board, with incumbent Brian Monroe running for his seat again, and three newbies to elected office also running: Laura E. Gardner, Stephanie Pickup, and Brendalee Smith.
The Board of Public Works will not see a contest, with two seats up for election. Incumbent Brian Wotton, who is the chairperson will be on the ballot; and Daniel Lopes will also be on the ballot. Travis Raposa, who was appointed to the board, did not take out papers.
Planning Board has three candidates for two seats, with incumbent and long time board member Wayne Hayward running for his seat; and two newbies also running, Patrick Carr and Ruy Da Silva. Long time member Rene Fleurent did not take out papers.
The Board of Health will see a new face, with Justine Frezza the only person running for one seat. Incumbent Mike Ristuccia did not take out papers for his seat.
Other races on the ballot include: Commissioner of Trust Funds, with incumbent Louise M. Ponte running for re-election unopposed; and Housing Authority, with incumbent Carol Alfonso running for re-election unopposed.
Precincts will also choose their Town Meeting representatives. All six precincts have 23-25 seats up for re-election and several other vacant seats.
Fairhaven’s election will be on Monday, 4/3. Polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. All precincts vote at the Fairhaven Recreation Center, 227 Huttleston Avenue.
Voter registration deadline is March 27. Vote by mail application deadline is March 27. All Absentee/ Vote By Mail ballots returned by mail, in person, or by drop box must be received in the Town Clerk’s Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters who will not be in town on the day of the election may vote via In-Person Absentee Ballot in the Town Clerk’s office until noon on Friday, March 31, 2023.
You may register to vote any day from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday– Friday, at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall, 40 Center Street, Fairhaven. Mail-in Voter Registration Forms are available at the Town Clerk’s Office, the Millicent Library and State and Federal offices.
Vote By Mail application postcards will be mailed out by the Secretary of State to all registered voters who have not already filed an Absentee Ballot Application for the 2023 election year.
Call the Town Clerk’s office, 508-979-4023, Ext. 3, with questions.
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