All voting, regardless of the precinct, is done at the high school
SOUTH HADLEY – Voters in this town go to the polls Monday to select the people who will represent them in local government.
All precincts vote at South Hadley High School between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Contested seats are on the Selectboard, the School Committee, the Municipal Light Board and the Trustees of the the South Hadley Public Library, as well as in three Town Meeting precincts.
On the Selectboard, three people are vying for two spots. Incumbents Robert Judge and Francis J. DeToma are being challenged by Chester Thadeus Sinclair.
At the Candidate’s Night forum on March 31 at Town Hall, the audience asked Selectboard candidates about some of the economic issues facing the town, including the prospect of a new library and a new elementary school.
DeToma recounted how, as he left his home for a tour of Plains School, he was determined that the town just couldn’t afford to replace it. But after the tour, he was just as strongly convinced that the building was not fit for use. “It has to be replaced,” said DeToma.
All the Selectboard candidates were in favor of building a new public library, though Sinclair said he didn’t like the location at the old Northeast Utilities site. DeToma said he felt the same way at first, but changed his mind after the site was approved at Town Meeting.
Judge said he liked the site, but is concerned about many of the other buildings owned by the town, including the current library on Bardwell Street.
“How are we going to use the buildings that become vacant?” he said. “Those could go on the tax rolls!” He said the town is considering forming a “re-use committee” to address that issue.
The Selectboard candidates also fielded a question about The Ledges, a controversial golf course owned by the town that is losing money.
“All five of us on the Selectboard are open to considering every possible option,” said Judge. Their hands are tied by an agreement that prevents them from simply selling the place. Sinclair said he wouldn’t want it to be sold anyway, fearing that would lead to a “housing explosion.”
Judge said the town recently brought in a professional golf managment firm to look at the way the course is managed, and is planning on making big changes.
“We’re just not professionals at managing a golf course,” said DeToma, who was impressed by the knowledge of the management team.
Candidates were also in favor of better communication with residents and of regionalizing some services by sharing staff with other towns.
Four people are running for two openings on the School Committee. They are Robert M. Abrams, Shannon L. Hann, Kevin M. McCallister and Barry C.D. Waite.
Dale H. Johnson II is challenging incumbent Rita M. Lawler for a seat on the Municipal Light Board.
The South Hadley Public Library Trustees have three openings and four people competing for them. Barbara S. Salthouse is running against incumbents Helen Correia Gage, Susan E. Obremski-Crowther and Joyce M. O’Neil.
Precincts B, C and D all have contests going on for the eight Town Meeting member seats they are allowed. In Precinct B, voters must select eight from this list: Theodore B. Belsky, Evelyn G. Chesky, Carol E. Craig, Francis J. DeToma Sr., Eleanor C. Klepacki, Marjorie R. Kaufman, Anne Awad, Priscilla A. Mandrachia, Gregory R. Sheehan, Hazel R. Snopek, Kristen Stueber and Thomas A. Terry. The first six are incumbents.
In Precinct C, voters will choose from these candidates: William Roddy Adams, Andrew R. Beaudry, Marguerite A. Clancy, Alan M. Gardner, Gail C. Lehtomaki, John Urekew, Jeffrey A. Cyr, John R. Hine and Kevin E. Taugher. The first six are incumbents.
In Precinct D, Warren M. Bock, Barbara E. Bristol, Richard A. Constant, Philip W. Costello Jr., Beverly A. Gagne, Peter A. Gagne, Michael R. Koske, Elizabeth S. Lacey, Michael A. Rosner, Robert W. Salthouse and John W. Scibak are competing for eight seats. The first seven on the list are incumbents.
Running for uncontested seats are Edward J. Ryan, Town Moderator, Michael A. Roser for Board of Health, Kevin E. Taugher for Board of Assesors, Helen J. Fantini and Jeffrey D. Squire for Planning Board and Constance A. Clancy for Housing Authority, as well as many Town Meeting members.