(Editor's note: The following information has been submitted by Town Clerk Denise Graffeo.) A voter registration session has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 2013 from 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM at the Town Clerk’s Office, Town Hall, 1009 Main Street. Denise Graffeo, Town Clerk, informs residents who have not registered to vote, this is the final day to register to vote or change party enrollment for the upcoming April 30, 2013 Special State Primary. Residents must be 18 years of age or older on or before Election Day to be eligible to register. Residents may also register to vote during …

What would happen if you held an election and virtually no one showed up? Decisions that will impact the futures of Tewksbury taxpayers and their children would be made by the few that did. Such was the case Saturday, as just 13.1 percent of registered voters turned out to cast their ballots. There will be new faces on municipal boards, as Jim Wentworth won a seat on the Board of Selectmen, Lisa Puccia captured a seat on the School Committee and Ray Barry earned a seat on the Board of Health. But it was also a big day for the incumbents, as every candidate who sought re-election won another …

A six-person race that looked to have developed into a four-man battle through the last few weeks of the campaign, turned into a two-man runaway on Election Night 2013. Incumbent Todd Johnson and challenger Jim Wentworth easily topped the field on Saturday to claim the two available seats on the Tewksbury Board of Selectmen. Johnson easily won a third tern on the board with 1,624 votes. Wentworth was second with 1,449. Rick Menard, who had campaigned heavily on public safety issues, especially keeping the South Fire Station open, was a distant third with 597. He was followed by Ken Miano (449…

In 2010, Krissy Polimeno and Lisa Puccia were part of an emotionally charged three-person race for two seats on the Tewksbury School Committee. Polimeno got in, while Puccia was odd-person out. Fast-forward three years and Puccia and Polimeno were once again part of a three-person race for two seats on the school committee. But there were differences. The race was far more low-key this time around and this time both women were voted into office. Polimeno was easily re-elected with 2.039 votes. Puccia grabbed the second slot, slipping past Ray Lisiecki, 1,276-1,139. Polimeno said there were …

What was predicted to be a close race for a seat on the Shawsheen Tech School Committee turned into a rout. Incumbent Patricia Meuse swept all eight precincts, en route to a 1,605-982 win over challenger Rick O'Neill. Meuse admitted afterward that she had not been expecting a landslide win and was nervouse about the outcome, even as the first results were announced. "It was kind of nerve-racking," she said. "Even after we knew we had won the first six precincts, I kept saying, 'ok, but we need to win the other two.'" The victory gives Meuse a seventh term on the Shawsheen Tech School …

Saturday, 3 p.m. Good afternoon Tewksbury and welcome to our continuing coverage of the 2013 Tewksbury Municipal Election. We are 5 hours away from the polls closing. What do we know so far? Well, we're pretty sure that the sign holders are outnumbering the voters. Turnout has been extremely light -- disappointingly so, given that at least one new person will be added to the school committee and at least one new person will be added o the Board of Selectmen. There are also contested races for the Board of Health and Shawsheen Tech School Com. As of 1 p.m., the total of number voters, by ward…

(Editor's note: This is the third and final part of our Q&A series with candidates for the Board of Selectmen -- incumbent Todd Johnson and challengers, Mary Ellen Fernald, Rick Menard Bob Marcin, Jim Wentworth and Ken Miano.) Question 3: Is the town being aggressive enough in pursuing companies to locate in Tewksbury and what steps would you take to bolster economic development? Jim Wentworth Our greatest opportunity to continue to grow and prosper as a town is to focus on Economic Development and increase our Commercial and Industrial tax base. We have made progress by being designated as …

(Editor's note: This is the third and final part of our Q&A series with School Committee candidates -- incumbent Krissy Polimeno and challengers Ray Lisiecki and Lisa Puccia.) Question 3: The school department budget takes the biggest bite out of the fiscal budget each year. What are some practical ways  the school department can ease the burden on taxpayers? Krissy Polimeno I will continue to focus on fiscal responsibility and accountablility.  I will work to ensure that school materials and resources are allocated equitably.   Our district will continue to work collaboratively with other …

(Editor's note: This is the third and final part of our Q&A series with the candidates for the Shawsheen Tech School Committee -- incumbent Patricia Meuse and challenger Rick O'Neill.) Question 3: Does the Shawsheen Tech School Committee need to do more to ensure transparency? Patricia Meuse Shawsheen has one of the best high school web sites, maintained by our students daily, that provides important information about Shawsheen.  School Committee meeting agendas and minutes are published.  I encourage residents to visit the web site at www.shawsheentech.org. Our School Committee meetings are …

To the Editor: A few times in my life, I have become inspired by a person whose vision, hard work, and unselfish motives are directed towards the greater good of their community. Jim Wentworth is definitely one of those individuals. In the last two years, I have had the privilege to get to know Jim personally and during this period have witnessed his passion and commitment for a better Tewksbury. His energy, enthusiasm, and unyielding positive nature are always present when he discusses his ideas to improve Tewksbury. Unlike most, Jim does more than just speak of his ideas; he puts in the …

Just as a reminder, here are the new voting locations for Saturday's election: Precinct 1       Senior Center                   175 Chandler St. Precinct 1A     Senior Center                        175 Chandler St. Precinct 2       Recreation Center                286 Livingston St. Precinct 2A    Recreation Center                286 Livingston St. Precinct 3       Lowell Assembly of God      995 Andover St. Precinct 3A    Lowell Assembly of God  995 Andover St. Precinct 4       Library                                300 Chandler St. Precinct 4A     Library                              300 …

(Editor's note: This is Part 2 of a three-part Q&A with candidates for the Board of Selectmen -- incumbent Todd Johnson and challengers Ken Miano, Mary Ellen Fernald, Rick Menard, Jim Wentworth and Bob Marcin.) Question 2: Two-part question. How do you feel the negotiations with the Firefighters Union have been handled? Which do you believe is a higher priority – bolstering the Stabilization Fund or keeping South Station open year-round?  Ken Miano I have managed both union and non-union facilities as well as having worked in both environments. Today, I work for a large Telecom company where …

(Editor's note: This is Part 2 of a three-part Q&A with candidates for Tewksbury School Committee -- incumbent Krissy Polimeno and challengers Lisa Puccia and Ray Lisiecki.) Question 2: What are some ways you would like to see Tewksbury schools better prepare students for college and/or the work place?  Lisa Puccia I believe that this process needs to begin at the elementary school level starting as early as Kindergarten.  Tewksbury Public Schools needs to start looking at implementing STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, and Math) earlier on into our student’s curriculum to better prepare …

(Editor's Note: This is Part 2 of a three-part Q&A Series for the Shawsheen Tech School Committee candidates -- Incumbent Patricia Meuse and challenger Rick O'Neill.) Question 2: How has technical education changed in the past 30 years and what is its role in a competitive world economy? Rick O'Neill We live in an increasingly complex world dominated by a global economy. Wages are down, good paying jobs are scarce and we worry about how our children will make their way through this ever increasing uncertainty. It is critically important that we, as parents, educators, and responsible citizens…

Public Service has been part of my life since I was 6 years old cleaning the benches after Mass at St. Thomas Church in Wilmington where I grew up to parents who were both WWII veterans.  After graduating from Wilmington High I received my Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern. In 1978 my husband and I moved to Tewksbury. After my sixth child was born I received my law degree from New England Law. My six children graduated from TMHS and received college degrees. Five of my children live in Tewksbury and my grandchildren attend elementary schools here. My oldest granddaughter is a …

(Editor's Note: This is Part 1 in a three-part Q&A Series with the candidates running for two seats on the Tewksbury School Committee -- Incumbent Krissy Polimeno and challengers Ray Lisiecki and Lisa Puccia.) Question 1: What are the biggest challenges facing Tewksbury Schools in the next few years? Krissy Polimeno The challenge of student achievement becomes increasingly more difficult because of budget considerations.  We must continue to provide students with the skills and the knowledge needed to achieve a high level of success in their chosen career path.    Tewksbury must deal with the…

(Editor's Note: This is This is Part 1 of a three-part series of questions and answers with incumbent Patricia Meuse and challenger Rick O'Neill, candidates for the Shawsheen Tech School Committee.) Question 1: As a member of the Shawsheen Tech School Committee, who are you most responsible to?  How do/would you balance responsibilities to stakeholders? Rick O'Neill Shawsheen Tech School Committee members have direct or indirect responsibility to balance the interests of a number of stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, applicants, partnering communities, superintendant, school…

To the Editor: I am writing this letter in support of Jim Wentworth and his campaign for a seat on the Tewksbury Board of Selectmen. I have had the privilege of knowing Jim for 27 years.   Many will think that this deep friendship is the basis for my support, which doesn’t begin to speak to why Jim has the experience, passion and desire to help lead our community. Since 2009 when I was elected to the Board of Selectmen, Jim has been my confidant and greatest critic as we have dealt with many challenging situations in Tewksbury.   Regardless of the issue, Jim’s approach has been consistent.   …

Residents are invited to attend tonight's Tewksbury Town Election Debate to learn more about their neighbors running for elected office on the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee. This year two seats on the Board of Selectmen are up for election, currently held by incumbent candidate Todd Johnson and Anne Marie Stronach. Stronach is not seeking re-election, and the open seat has attracted five challengers including Jim Wentworth, Ken Miano, Richard Menard, Robert Marcin, and Mary Ellen Fernald. Incumbent and School Committee Chairperson Krissy Polimeno is up for re-election this year…

(Editor's Note: This is the first in a three-part Q and A with the six candidates running for two seats on the Board of Selectmen.) Question 1: If the Town Manager is the CEO of the Town, then the Board of Selectmen is the de facto Board of Directors. What skills/knowledge do you have to sit on the board of a $100 million company? Ken Miano My drive, intensity and energy, with the ability to infuse that energy into a group in order to motivate and propel it forward would be one of my greatest assets. Being a take charge person and executing against plan, is a strong part of my character. I …