HATFIELD — With contested races for seats on the School Committee, Board of Health and Planning Board in the June 23 town election, 175 ballots have been sent out to voters who have asked to vote early.
“People are liking the idea of voting by mail,” says Town Clerk Lydia Szych.
Understanding the concerns caused by the pandemic that pushed the election to a later date, Szych said applications for ballots are available at both town post offices and at the Center Store.
“They can send it in and we’ll mail out a ballot so they don’t have to come out to the polls if they are uncomfortable doing so,” Szych said.
The ballot can be returned by mail or placed into a dropbox outside Memorial Town Hall that is checked twice a day. All ballots must be in hand by the time polls close.
Polls at Town Hall will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m to vote in person and various procedures will be in place to keep voters and poll workers safe, including a requirement that anyone entering the building wear face masks or face coverings. Only those who are voting will be allowed inside, Szych said.
Two, three-year seats available on the School Committee are being contested by four residents, including Christy L. Boudreau, Charles W. DeRose, David Robert Keir, and Rebecca Bench. Bench was appointed to the committee to fill a vacancy last year and is running for the seat for the first time.
Incumbent Board of Health member Kerry E. Flaherty is being challenged by Elizabeth Jane Kugler, and incumbent Planning Board member Stephanie Elizabeth Slysz is in a contest with Elizabeth Beringer.
Incumbents unopposed for reelection include Brian F. Moriarty for Select Board, Ronald J. Punska for Board of Assessors, Jonathan W. Bardwell for Cemetery Commission, Marsha L. Humphrey for library trustee, William J. Betsold, Jr. for elector under the Oliver Smith Will, Joseph A. Lavallee Sr. for moderator and Szych for Town Clerk.
No candidates are on the ballot for the Housing Authority seat held by Michael J. McGrath or a vacant Redevelopment Authority position.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
