Bourne Ballot Watch: Patterson Withdrawal Narrows Select Board Race
The final day to either object to candidate nomination papers or withdraw as a candidate has passed, meaning the ballot for Bourne’s annual town election next month is locked in.
The most recent change in the candidacy field came last week, when former department of public works director Shawn T. Patterson withdrew as a candidate in the race for two open select board seats. Mr. Patterson submitted his withdrawal to Town Clerk Barry H. Johnson in a letter dated April 8.
“Unfortunately, my current work and personal schedules will be a direct conflict for the elected position,” Mr. Patterson said, “and I will not be able to devote the necessary time to be an effective member of such board.”
Mr. Patterson’s withdrawal narrows the field in the select board race to four candidates. Vying for the two open seats on the board are current board chairwoman Mary Jane Mastrangelo, planning board member Jeanne L. Azarovitz, Daniel M. Degan of Buzzards Bay and John L. (Jack) MacDonald of Pocasset.
Current select board member Jared P. MacDonald, first elected in 2018, opted not to run for a third term.
“As much as I would like to stay, I am very busy with my family life,” Mr. MacDonald said, “and I see a lot of time being necessary in the near future for the position and don’t feel I can commit enough time.”
Race For Rec Authority
Another race that has drawn a number of candidates is that of the recreation authority board of directors. As with the select board, there are four candidates battling for two seats. Those candidates include Robert L. Buckley III of Sagamore Beach and Christopher M. McCarthy of Monument Beach, who will challenge current board members Louis R. Gallo and Joseph F. Klucevsek.
After the death of longtime board member George M. Sala in July, Mr. Klucevsek, Mr. Buckley and Mr. McCarthy were all considered for appointment to fill the seat left open on the recreation authority board. Mr. Klucevsek was ultimately appointed by the select board and the authority’s board members for the remainder of Mr. Sala’s term.
Ballot Breakdown
Not all races on this year’s annual town election ballot are as competitive. On the planning board, three incumbents will run unopposed: chairman Daniel L. Doucette, member Christopher J. Farrell and member Catherine D. Walton.
Other candidates running unopposed include Town Clerk Barry H. Johnson, town moderator Amy B. Kullar and school committee member Kari MacRae.
Ms. MacRae was the only candidate who took out nomination papers and returned them by the April 2 deadline. Her fellow incumbent, Paul McMaster, chose not to seek reelection and did not take out papers, the town clerk’s office reported. Kathleen Quintal of Buzzards Bay and Linsey Drane of Monument Beach both pulled nomination papers but did not return them by the deadline.
On the board of health, two available seats will go unfilled. Incumbents William Doherty and Donald C. Uitti did not take out nomination papers, the town clerk’s office said. Rachel Freedman of Gray Gables and Donald Ellis of Sagamore Beach both took out papers, but Ms. Freedman was the only one to file them. She then chose not to run, the town clerk’s office reported.
Additionally, Mr. Doherty chose not to run for reelection to the board of trustees for the Bourne Veterans Memorial Community Center. William W. Meier, the other incumbent and nonveteran representative, has filed papers to run for reelection to the board. No challengers have emerged for the veteran seat vacated by Mr. Doherty.
Susan Schmidt will be on the ballot for reelection to the board of trustees for the Jonathan Bourne Public Library. Fellow incumbent Susan Barlow opted not to run for reelection, but no candidates are in the race to fill the seat.
Voter registration for the town election is open until Friday, May 10, at 5 PM. The deadline to apply for in-person absentee balloting is Monday, May 20, at noon.
The annual town election is set for Tuesday, May 21.
Michael Rausch contributed to this article.