One of the most hotly contested proposals in recent memory, whether or not to fund a new elementary school, brought 46 percent (2,033) of Harvard’s 4,412 registered voters to the polls Tuesday, May 8. A majority of the votes cast for this question, about 58 percent (1,058), approved the request to borrow sums above the Proposition 2½ limit for the new school (see “New elementary school passes at Town Meeting and election” below). The vote to fund the new school had previously passed at the May 5 Annual Town Meeting by more than the required two-thirds majority. SEE COMPLETE ELECTION RESULTS
Question #1, which asked voters to approve the town charter recommended by the Charter Commission, also passed with about 58 percent of voters in favor of the measure. The charter takes effect immediately. In an email to the Press, Paul Cohen, chairman of the Charter Commission, thanked voters for “accepting the product of two years of effort by the nine-member Charter Commission.” He added that he looks forward to the transition to the charter, and that its structure “will enhance the leadership and strategic planning by the town’s government in the years ahead.”
The request to borrow sums above the Proposition 2½ limit to build an accessible entrance to the old library also passed, with 72 percent voting yes, the highest margin of all.
The only contested race was for library trustee, where three candidates were running for two positions. Davida Bagatelle received 1,140 votes, Jennifer Manell was second with 1,048 votes, and Billy Salter came in third with 685 votes.
In an unexpected twist, the position of Planning Board member for one year was won by Justin Brown, who received three write-in votes, enough to edge out Michele Girard and Joseph Reynolds, who each received two write-in votes. The day after the election, Town Clerk Marlene Kenney confirmed that there is no minimum number of votes required to win a position in the Town Election. Kenney had not been able to contact Brown as of press time to see if he would accept the seat. She said that if he does not accept, it would be considered a “failure to elect,” and since the town charter is now in effect, the Select Board would be responsible for appointing someone to fill that seat.
Write-in winners
Ted Maxant, a previously declared write-in candidate for Cemetery Commission, won that uncontested position with 128 votes. Pat White was the leading write-in candidate to become one of the Warner Free Lecture Trustees with 27 votes, besting Lynda Herbolsheimer, who received 17 write-in votes. Kenney told the Press that White will accept the position.
Turnout was high for a spring Town Election but not a record as some Nextdoor posters reported. In 1992, for instance, 54.6 percent of the town’s registered voters turned out for the Town Election on March 31. Four questions requesting Proposition 2½ overrides totaling about $436,000 were on the ballot that year; all four questions passed.
