Politics & Government

(UPDATED) Question 1 Defeated; Selectmen Wilson and Gay Re-Elected

Brothers unseats Fernald for seat on the Board of Health

The votes have been counted and the people have spoken ... loudly.

Question 1, which asked voters at Saturday's Municipal election to approve a $1.9 million debt exclusion to pay for expanded athletic complex proposal was soundly defeated by a 2-1 margin.

The final vote total was 2914-1465 and the question was defeated in each of the town's eight precincts.

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Meanwhile, Selectmen Scott Wilson and David Gay easily won re-election, defeating challengers Bob Marcin and Ken Miano.

Wilson, who has been an outspoken supporter of Question 1 and the field proposal, admitted to having mixed feelings Saturday night.

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"I'm disappointed, I'm not going to lie," said Wilson. To be honest I would have rather lost and have the field question pass. I really feel that field is something that can bring people together. The high school is the first part but that field is another part of it."

In one of the more contentious races, former Tewksbury School Committee Chairman Mike Kelley defeated 28-year incumbent Peter Downing for a seat on the Shawsheen Tech School Committee, 2,346-1,536.

Challenger Kathleen Brothers, making her second bid for the Board of Health, was successful. Brothers (2,368) and incumbent Ed Sheehan (2,243) were the top vote-getters with two seats up for grabs. Incumbent Mary-Ellen Fernald (1,993) finished third.

"I'm thrilled," said Brothers. "But I'll admit I'm a little bit melancholy. Mary Ellen is a friend of mine."

Fernald was disappointed in the results but gracious in defeat.

"Kathy and I have been acquainted for a long time and I am very happy for her," she said. "I know she will do a great job.  She puts her whole self into whatever she is involved in at the time.  Congrats to her."

Incumbent Nancy Reed had no problem retaining her seat on the Planning Board, defeating challenger Ed Sullivan, 2,548-1,455, to earn a new term.

Sullivan said the results sent a message.

"It seems like the voters went toward the incumbents," he said. "i guess that means people are happy with the way things are."

Sullivan, who ran unsuccessfully for selectman in 2011, said he would have preferred to give his time and effort to the whole town but that he will focus on his efforts helping to run local youth sports leagues.

"(The loss) doesn't mean I'm going to give up on the town," he said.

Uncontested races on the ballot included newcomer Paige Impink and incumbent Patricia Pino winning seats on the Library Board of Trustees and Jamey Cutelis and incumbent Dennis Francis winning three-year terms on the Tewksbury School Committee.

The complete, unofficial results from Saturday's Tewksbury Election can be found on a PDF document attached to this story.

Check back with Tewksbury Patch for more on Saturday's Election.

 


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