By Beth David, Editor
Acushnet voters delivered a resounding “no” on the ballot question to provide funding for improvements to the elementary school building.
Just under 12% of registered voters, 996, voted on Tuesday, 4/22/25, to elect local officials and to vote on a debt exclusion to provide borrowing for up to $4.2 million to fund air quality improvements, primarily at the middle school. The proposed project is in response to the mold problem the building has faced, especially last year.
The vote was a whopping 754 to 229 against the measure.*
Last year’s excessive humidity in the summer caused a lot of mold to grow in the building. Although it was not Black Mold, which is the very dangerous kind, even common mold can cause adverse reactions in people. (See 4/17/25 issue)
The item is on the warrant for the annual Town Meeting, which will be held on 6/22/25. It was unclear by press time if the article will be voted on at that time or passed over.
If it is voted on and approved, it will have to be put to a ballot question again, and passed.
The town may also choose to use certified free cash or funds from its stabilization fund (aka rainy day account) to fund the project.
If not, then the “Band-Aid” measures the school department has been using to mitigate the problem will have to continue. Unfortunately, those measures are very labor intensive.
Acushnet had no contested races in the election. Incumbents who won re-election are: Robert Hinckley for Selectboard; Liberio DaSilva Soares for Assessor; Thomas Fortin for Board of Health; Evony McGlynn for School Committee; Mark Francois for Planning Commissioner; Charlene Fortin for Cemetery Board; Lucas Correia for Tree Warden.
The School Committee had two seats up for election but only one candidate on the ballot. Other races with no name on the ballot were: Commissioner of Trust Funds with two open seats, one full term and one partial term; Library Trustee, two seats; Park Commissioner.
Some write-ins still need to be counted, and will likely decide some of those races.
For information about Acushnet elections, contact the Town Clerk’s offfice, 508-998-0215; or visit https://www.acushnet.ma.us/town-clerk.
*Numbers are preliminary until the election is certified in a few days.
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Click here to download the 4/24/25 issue: 04-24-25 NFIA EggHunt
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