EASTHAMPTON — The City Council will look familiar to residents next term, as eight of the nine councilors up for reelection in November are running unopposed.

The sole contested race will occur in Precinct 5, where two residents will square off to replace longtime councilor Daniel Rist, who is not seeking another term.

The election for School Committee, however, will be hotly contested. Voters will elect six out of 10 people who filed papers to run.

Uncontested races on the Nov. 7 city election ballot include four at-large councilors; and Precincts 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Seeking reelection for the at-large positions are: Owen M. Zaret, chair of the public safety committee and clerk of the property committee; Brad J. Riley, chair of the appointment committee and clerk of the ordinance committee; and Koni Fay Denham, clerk of the rules and governmental relations committee.

Newcomer Jason “JT” Tirrell seeks a first term.

Uncontested precinct runners include: James “JP” Kwiecinski, chair of the property committee, for Precinct 1; Homar Gomez, city council president, for Precinct 2; Thomas William Peake, clerk of the finance committee, for Precinct 3; and Salem Derby, chair of the ordinance committee, for Precinct 4.

The race for Precinct 5 will feature former city councilor Tamara Smith, who served one term that ended in 2017, and Jared Mitchell Hinkle, who has previously run for at-large councilor.

School Committee

As for school committee, sitting members running this November include incumbents Megan W. Harvey and Benjamin R. Hersey, along with Laura N. Scott and Sam Hunter. The latter two filled vacant seats last spring after members quit during the controversy around the failed superintendant search.

The four incumbents will face off against newcomers Patricia E. Covalli, Eric R. Guyette, Lynda A. Broadhurst, Linda Sue Markee, Timothy M. St. John, and former police chief Raymond W. Sliz.

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 28, 10 days prior to the election. Online voter registration is at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/, and mail-in voter registration forms can be found on the city clerk’s webpage.

Voting by mail is another option, and a written request is required for a ballot to be mailed. Information can be accessed at: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/languages/vote-by-mail-applications.htm.

Maddie Fabian can be found at mfabian@gazettenet.com.]]>