HATFIELD — The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has prompted Hatfield officials to push the town election from mid-May to late June.
The Select Board voted 3-0 Tuesday to set the election for June 23 at the request of Town Clerk Lydia Szych. The election was originally scheduled for May 19.
Szych told the Select Board that the state is not allowing municipal elections to be postponed beyond June 30. Though in-person voting will come with uncertainty due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, Szych said voting by mail will be allowed.
The ballot will include, among others, a three-year position on the Select Board, two seats on the School Committee, and seats on the Planning Board, Housing Authority and Board of Assessors.
The board is expected to decide at its April 21 meeting, which will likely be held via Zoom as this week’s meeting was, whether to also reschedule the May 12 annual Town Meeting.
Select Board Chairman Brian Moriarty said that the state of emergency declared by Gov. Charlie Baker makes it challenging to know when somewhat normal activities can resume.
“We don’t really know when this is going to settle down,” Moriarty said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
