I think it's fascinating how many blank ballots there were. For uncontested races I can kind of understand why people wouldn't mark their ballots, but to have 329 blanks for a ballot question that only passed by 30 votes is concerning. I'd be even more interested to know why those 329 people didn't vote on that question: if they were apathetic to the situation, if they didn't have enough information, or for other reasons.

While I cannot answer directly, I imagine that there are people in town who are unaffected by this issue or would not benefit either way and so decided not to sway the vote. Rental tenants for example might have abstained from this question.

i was very disappointed in how rude and testy the town clerk race became. sepecially from one of the front winners.

jean what exactly is a front winner?

Were you upset at the Town Clerk's boyfriend, who was yelling and swearing at people after results were read?

Were you upset at Town Clerk's mother, who was both spitting and mock spitting at various people in the winners camp?

Were you upset that the Town Clerk would not come out of her office and huddled up with the former retired Town Clerk and current Foxboro Town Clerk while on the phone with her attorney. They all were claiming that she had 7 days left on the job. Now thats a major and seriousliability to the town.

How about the Town Clerk that would not swear anybody in and then was convinced to swear in Moderator so at least all the other elected winners could be sworn in on Saturday night?

How about the TC and former TC refusing to hand the keys to Town Hall and Clerks office over to the police officers?

You should get all your facts straight before you go around saying your upset.

Wow... a lot went down at town hall after I left... I did see the scuffle which was quickly broken up. For the record, Han Bernier went on record to congratulate Denise Graffeo, and her campaign committee did so in person that night. :-)

Please, I was there. Get your facts straight. There was no scuffle. A comment was made not by the boyfriend, but by someone else.
Scott Wilson became very confrontional at that. Warren stepped in with a "alright now". It lasted a few seconds. (definition of scuffle: A rough disorderly struggle at close quarters. )There was definately no scuffle or yelling or swearing by anyone. The Clerks mother never spit or pretend spit. The Clerk and her supporters ran a clean campaign. They never stooped to the level of the other candidates. Will you people ever stop with your lies. The Town Clerk was "huddled" working on the election with Liz. How would you know what was happening in her office. The new Town Clerk was also "huddled" presumably doing her job. Ask the new Town Clerk how she was caught removing the former Town Clerks signs on route 38. The "other" canditate throwing unsbstantiated inuendues at the other two. They both showed a great deal of integrity! Be careful what you wish for.

LOL,

Warren Carey came over to Scott and apologized after the incident on behalf of the person involved. He also thanked Scott for showing restraint and walking away. Scott did not become confrontational. So much for your facts.

You are in the Nichols camp, your candidate lost, end of story. As for the issue of "stooping", Ms. Nichols actions over the past three years speak for themselves, and the truth is an absolute defense.

I got what I wished for, and have no regrets.

I am amazed that a simple story about a "scuffle" has so many different versions that come out of the mouths of those in favor of those that they support of course.

Bob Ferrari - Webmaster of http://www.TewksburyIssues.org

One factual clarification directed to Harold and anyone else who may have concerns. Under the law, the Town Clerk is, in fact, on the job for another week. Another fact, to clear up any rumors, the Town Manager did, in fact, have three employees of the Town Clerk's office turn in their keys. These were turned in at Police Headquarters Saturday night, I believe.
Joan, thank you for correcting the error you made.
It was a grueling and emotional campaign. no matter whose camp you were in, you have to sympathize with both Ms. Graffeo and Ms. Nichols for the awkwardness of their working environment during the campaign. That was neither's fault. Both were well within their rights to run for office and they happened to be running against each other and working together.

Just to clarify. I was having a conversation with a very nice woman (I'll leave her name out of it). When she accused the Graffeo campaign of running a dirty campaign, I took offense. As I explained to her why I thought her perceptions were off some big guy (Maryann's boyfriend) told me to "Shut up or say what I have to say to his face". I spun around and asked him to repeat what he said. As Rita (Maryann's mother) yelled at him to follow her, I turned and walked away.

Warren Carey came over and thanked me for my restraint and walking away.

The nice woman, came over and apoligized later and we had a very nice conversation. We both apoligized and realized that this was an extremely difficult situation for all involved.

At this point, I am looking to move forward. I haven't accused Maryann of running a dirty campaign even though two of her supporters were caught pulling Graffeo signs. They continue to claim that we made allegations against them, but they are wrong. Unfortunately for Maryann she was mean to a lot of people and some of those enemies chose to share stories.

Citizen, I echo your statements. I always find it fascinating that people involved deeply with campaigns tend to see it as "good guys" vs. "bad guys" and always, they see themselves as the good guys/victims. The truth is, no one in this campaign was evil. They each had a vision for the town and a different way of doing things and interacting with people. Emotions ran hot Saturday night and it is understandable if things were said or done in the heat of the moment. It's time to move on and show each other grace and mercy.