HATFIELD — Contested elections for two seats on the School Committee and a position on the Select Board will be decided at town election Tuesday.
The election, with polls open from from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Memorial Town Hall, will include a binding question to make the collector and treasurer positions Select Board appointed, rather than elected by voters. That question was approved by Town Meeting this week.
The contested elections includes challenger Jill B. Robinson seeking one of two, three-year seats on the School Committee, held by incumbents Michael F. Paszek and Heather Cahill, while Christopher F. Miller is running against incumbent Edmund E. Jaworksi Jr. for a three-year term on the Select Board.
Cahill, a teacher at Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech in Northampton, said in a statement recorded for Hatfield Community Television that her goals are to engage families in enriching the district, crafting a smart and sustainably funded district learning plan and ensuring the well-being of all students.
“I’m inspired to continue my service because of my passion for children and the community’s decadeslong commitment to provide our students a first-rate educational experience,” Cahill said.
Paszek, who has served on several town boards, said he brings accountability and a business perspective to the committee.
“The goal that I’ve always had for the school district has been to provide the best education we can for our students and at the best cost-benefit to the taxpayers,” Paszek said.
Robinson, who works for the Collaborative for Educational Services in Northampton and oversees operations of a statewide contract providing special education services to students in institutional settings, said she is running because Hatfield’s great schools can become even better.
“I want to improve the quality education provided in Hatfield through funding and support of advanced science, technology and engineering programs, as well as foreign language programs for all grade levels,” Robinson said.
Jaworski, who is retired and was elected in a special election 15 months ago, said in a candidates forum interview that he wants to continue to get the town’s financial house in order.
“I think the football is on the 5-yard line, another five yards to go. I’d like to be on the team to get the football to score,” Jaworski said.
Jaworski said he would focus on the sewer extension on Routes 5 and 10 that can promote development, the renovation of Town Hall and the 350th anniversary celebration in 2020.
Christopher F. Miller, a retired construction supervisor and highway superintendent, said he wants to make sure past practices of keeping up infrastructure are continued.
“If voted in I would approach any and every situation with an open mind,” Miller said.
Incumbents seeking re-election include Scott McCoy for a three-year position on the Board of Assessors, Lydia Szych for a one-year position as Elector under the Will of Oliver Smith, Joseph A. Lavallee Sr. for a three-year seat on the Cemetery Commission, Jeffrey C. Zgodnik for a three-year seat on the Board of Health, Dodie Gaudet for a three-year position as Library Trustee, Robert C. Wagner for a five-year seat on the Planning Board and Stanley L. Symanski for a five-year seat on the Housing Authority.
Newcomer Michael Bartlett is seeking a one-year term as councilor to the Hampshire Council of Governments, and Alex Edward Malinowski is running for a three-year position on the Housing Authority.
No one took out papers to run for five-year seat on the Redevelopment Authority.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
