By Beth David, Editor
The dates of local elections in both Acushnet and Fairhaven have been changed due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Fairhaven is scheduled to hold its election on Monday, 6/8; Acushnet has rescheduled to Saturday, 6/27.
Acushnet has no contested election; Fairhaven has only one contested election, for Selectboard.
IN FAIRHAVEN
The annual election in Fairhaven has been changed from 4/6 to Monday, June 8. Polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Polling places in Fairhaven are: Precinct 1, Town Hall; Precincts 2 & 3, Hastings Middle School; Precinct 4, Fire Station; Precincts 5 & 6, Recreaton Center.
Seats up for Election
Selectboard, incumbent Charles K. Murphy Sr., Keith Silvia; School Committee (2 seats), Pamela Kuechler and Brian Monroe; Board of Health, Michael Ristuccia; Commissioner of Trust Funds, John Rogers; Board of Public Works (2 seats), Cameron Durant, Brian Wotton; Planning Board (2 seats), Jeffrey Lucas, Jay Simmons; Housing Authority, for 3 years of an unexpired term, Carol A. Alfonso.
For Town Meeting members, all six precincts have vacant seats.
IN ACUSHNET
The annual town election has been changed from 5/16 to Saturday, 6/27/20, with voting hours to be determined. This is the first year the town will hold its elections on a Saturday. All voters/precincts vote at the Acusnhnet Elementary School, unless voters opt to use early voting or absentee voting.
Acushnet has no contested races on the ballot, and several vacancies.
Reasons for absentee voting have been expanded to include voters who want to avoid the polling place as a precautionary measure in response to COVID-19.
The special act (Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020) allows early voting, for which no reason is required.
Applications for absentee ballots and early voting are available on the Town Clerk’s website or by calling the Town Clerk’s office at 508-998-0215. Applications may be mailed to the Acushnet Town Clerk, 130 Main St., Acushnet, MA 02743 or by dropping the application, to the attention of the Town Clerk, into the drop box outside the Town Hall. Office hours are: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and Friday 8:00 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
Seats up for Election
Moderator, Nicholas J. Gomes; Town Clerk, Pamela A. Labonte; Selectboard, David Wojnar; Assessor, Marc F. Centerizio; Board of Health, Robert Medeiros; School Committee (two seats), Ronald A. Houde, Jr., and Jonathan D. Teves; Commissioner of Trust Funds, vacant; Planning Commissioner, vacant; Cemetery Board, Joanne K. Cioper; Trustee of Free Public Library (two seats), Joan M. Howland, and one vacant; Park Commissioner, vacant; Housing Authority, for remainder of unexpired term ending 5/4/22, Stephanie L. VonJess; Housing Authority (5-year term), Isabel M. Sousa; Tree Warden, vacant.
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