Above: The Library is again sponsoring Candidates’ night, but the forum will be hosted at Cordaville Hall to make it easier for a large crowd to attend. (image from flyer and photo by Beth Melo)
A week from tonight is the annual event to help voters learn about candidates on the Town Election ballot.
I’m posting this reminder, with some updated details on who is participating.
The event is hosted by Southborough Library Trustees. Because there are so many contested positions this year that might draw attendees, the Trustees decided that Cordaville Hall (aka the Southborough Senior Center) would be a better forum for the event this year than the Library. (It allows for a larger seated audience and has more parking capacity.
All candidates are invited for a meet and greet with the public at the start of the night. But the main attraction is the moderated panels of candidates running in contested races.
As of yesterday, all three candidates for the School Committee race confirmed they will participate in the May 4th forum. Three of five candidates running for the Select Board also plan to participate.
I’m told the Trustees still haven’t heard back from one candidate in each of the other two races (Planning Board and the Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds). So stay tuned for news on that front.
The Southborough Library Trustees invite:
The Trustees of the Southborough Library will hold their annual “Candidates’ Night” at the Cordaville Hall, 9 Cordaville Road, Southborough on Thursday evening, May 4, 2023. This event gives Southborough voters a chance to meet the candidates, ask questions and get answers. All candidates running for election or re-election in the Annual Town Election have been invited.
The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a “Meet & Greet” session for the public and all candidates for office. The moderated program will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. with statements and a “Q&A” session with candidates for the four contested races: Select Board, Planning Board, Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds, and the Southborough School Committee. Candidates in uncontested races will be recognized and are encouraged to attend. Library Trustee and Event Organizer Janet Maney will serve as Moderator.
Refreshments will be available.
The Annual Town Election is Tuesday, May 9, 2023. “Candidates’ Night” is an important civic program, part of the Library’s mission to be “the center for life-long learning at the crossroads of our community.”
For those who haven’t been keeping track, a dozen candidates are running for the four offices:
Select Board* – 3 years — vote for two
Alfred C. Hamilton
Marguerite H. Landry
David W. Parry
Brett E. Peters
Albena Phillipo
Southborough School Committee – 3 years — vote for two
Zhi Li
Chelsea Malinowski
Johanna A. Sheyner
Planning Board – 5 years
Lisa Braccio
Michael Weishan
Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds – 3 years
William Boland (incumbent)
Sam Stivers
The Town’s election is on Tuesday, May 9th, 6:30 am – 8:00 pm at Trottier Middle School. The following details for participation are from the Town’s website:
Vote by Mail
Any registered voter can request to Vote by Mail using the Secretary of State’s online registration – click here. We must receive your application by 5pm, May 3.Voter Registration
The last day to register to vote for this election is Monday May 1, 2023 at 5:00pm.You can register to vote in person at the Town Clerk’s office or click here to register online.
Questions?
Call the Town Clerk 508.485.0710 ext 3005 or email TownClerk@southboroughma.com
[Editor’s Note to the Candidates: Reminder, I welcome one letter from each candidate. (Several have already submitted theirs.) You can submit those between now and the evening of May 3rd. Please email the letters, an optional photo, and any questions to mysouthborough@gmail.com.]
*David Parry and Albena Phillipo have told the Trustees that they will not be attending the forum.
