Write-In Candidates Step Forward for Clarksburg Town Election
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Officials have been worried about elected seats going vacant in Tuesday's election, but enough candidates have come forward to ensure most will be filled.
A seat on the Select Board and three on the Planning Board looked like they would go empty in the town election but three people have stepped forward to run write-in campaigns.
There are two seats open on the Select Board, a three-year term and a two-year term.
Carlyle C. Chesbro Jr., the town's fire chief, returned nomination papers putting his name on the ballot for the final two years of the term vacated by William Schrade Jr. Chesbro was raised in Clarksburg and is a graduate of McCann Technical School and Berkshire Community College. He's worked for R.I. Baker Co. for more than 25 years.
Kimberly Moran Goodell is running as a write-in for the three-year term, which was held by Linda Reardon.
Goodell, her husband and her daughter live next to the house where she was raised. She is a graduate of Drury High School and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She is currently a teacher's assistant at Clarksburg School, which her daughter attends.
"I want to make a difference in my community in whatever way I can," she wrote us. "New views, new ideas, new opinions, maybe some of things I have to offer the Select Board. Big things happening in the town with the proposal of a new school, which I am completely in favor of. I want to be a part of the big picture and see what lies ahead. I'm a very hard worker and give 110 percent toward whatever it is I am involved in, so I'm hoping people will write in Kim Goodell on Election Day!"
The Planning Board has three vacant seats going into Tuesday's election because of resignations and decisions not to run for re-election.
Four citizens have stepped forward to run as write-ins for the one-, four- and five-year terms.
Vincent King, a retired Drury High School chemistry teacher and Vietnam War veteran, was the first to announce his decision to run.
"As a lifelong resident of Clarksburg, I am concerned by the lack of people willing to serve on various boards and committees," he wrote us. "I will do my part and work as hard as I can for the benefit of the town. I encourage any who are interested to seek town offices as many are open."
Erin Scott is running specifically to complete the last four years of a five-year term. She is a sales agent at Burnham Gold Real Estate in Williamstown and graduated from Drury High and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
"The Planning Board is essentially community development. They also makes sure that the land and all areas are protected and its natural resources are conserved," Scott wrote. "All these things are very important to me. I was born and raised here. It's a beautiful place to live and I would like it see it stay that way. I also like the idea of being involved in the 'master plan' for Clarksburg. There are a lot of big issues on the table right now."
Gregory Vigna, also running as a Planning Board write-in, is a member of the Conservation Commission and a former chairman of the Board of Health. He earned his degree in accounting and business MCLA and is a senior technician at Trinity Engineering and Technical Services.
Also running for Planning Board is David Thayer, who has posted signs around town. Thayer operates a home contracting business.
For the School Committee, Laura D. Wood will be on the ballot to replace outgoing committee Chairman Jeffrey Levanos (who remains on the Select Board.) Wood is director of finance and purchasing for the city of North Adams and moved to town with her husband, Zach, three years ago so their children could attend Clarksburg School.
"I have one child going into the new kindergarten [class] and I've been involved with the School Building Committee and the PTG," Wood said. "I figured I would get involved as early as I can."
Also on the ballot are Linda J. Hurlbut for library trustee, three years; Joseph Bushika III, War Memorial trustee, three years; Ernest F. Dix, tree warden, one year; Bryan H. Tanner, moderator, one year.
There is still a seat on the Board of Health that is vacant.
Town Clerk Carol Jammalo reminds write-in candidates that campaign and political finance paperwork needs to be filed. She can be reached by leaving a message at 413-663-8255 or at ClarksburgTClerk@gmail.com.
The town election will be held on Tuesday, May 23, at the Senior Center on West Cross Road from noon to 7 p.m.
Tags: election 2017, town elections,
