Adams Officials Discuss Filling Vacant Selectman Seat
ADAMS, Mass. — Town officials are considering whether to hold an election for the vacant seat on the Board of Selectmen.
Town Clerk Haley Meczywor told the Selectmen last week that the Nov. 7 special election to fill the seat of the late state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi could be coupled with a town election.
Selectmen Arthur "Skip" Harrington resigned in March with a year still left on his term. His decision came to late to put the empty seat on the town election ballot. The board had planned to function with four members until next year's election.
Meczywor said it would cost $4,200 on top of what it would cost for the state representative election.
"It would be like running a separate election but at the same time," she said.
She said the candidate would only fill out Harrington's term that ends in May 2018.
Meczywor added that if a citizen's petition comes forward with 200 signatures the town will be forced to hold a special election. This may cost more if set on a different day than Nov. 7.
Selectman Joseph Nowak felt that with the state representative race on the ballot it could draw more voters out.
"Our voter turnout is awfully low and we only have a good turn out during presidential elections," he said. "Perhaps with the state representative seat on the ballot it may bring more voters out and there would be a better opportunity to run for selectmen."
Selectman Richard Blanchard felt it may not be worth the money just to have a fifth board member for five months.
"For five months, I hate to spend that money but if the public feels differently then we will spend the money we would have no choice," he said. "It would be nice to have five people but for that amount of time is it worth the money?"
Chairman John Duval said the board has operated with four members in the past.
"We have gone through this a number of times in the past. Many years ago we had four members on the board for I think close to a year," he said. "We got through that."
Resident Jeff Lefebvre urged the selectmen to hold the election because he was worried that business would be halted if the selectmen did not have a quorum.
"The more on board the better off we are. If someone gets sick or something comes up we can't conduct business," he said. "Our budget is millions of dollars we shouldn't worry about a few thousands."
The board needs at least three members for a quorum.
The Selectmen took no action last Wednesday but can bring up the discussion again at a future meeting.
In other business, the Selectmen shared their disappointment with the school district's decision to change the name of C.T. Plunkett School to Hoosac Valley Elementary. Selectwoman Christine Hoyt suggested referring to the school as Hoosac Valley Elementary at C.T. Plunkett.
"I know that I didn't grow up there in Adams but it doesn't mean that I don't take pride in the Plunkett name," she said. "It is of my opinion that the School Committee changed the name of the organization that resides in the building C.T. Plunkett."
The School Committee's decision was made with input from the Cheshire Selectmen, but was not discussed by the Adams Selectmen.
Nowak said he understood the School Committee's goal to unify the district but wished there was some input from Adams.
"I, too, was a little beside myself with the name change and I know it had a lot to do with a fresh start to show unity between that two towns and to show Cheshire that we are all together," he said. "I think that is something that needs to be done but I just wish there was more discussion."
• The board approved an application for a wine and malt package store license for Tri-Petroleum, Inc. Tri-Petroleum, Inc. plan to build a gas station convenience store at 160 Howland Ave., the former Goodwill property.
Tags: Selectmen, town elections,
