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GRAFTON, Mass. - It's the day of decision for Grafton on Tuesday after months of campaigning will end with the Town Election.
Election 2012 brings three contested races, with candidates scrambling for seats on the Board of Selectmen, School Committee and Planning Board.
Running for re-election is longtime Selectman Brook Padgett, who is employed as a hearing officer for the state. Challenging Padgett for the one seat in the race is Bruce Spinney, currently chairman of the Planning Board.
The School Committee is a three-way battle for two spots. Seeking re-election is Chairman Kathleen Halloran and member Peter Carlson, both of whom are completing their first term. Looking for a seat at the table is Margaret McDonald, chairman of the Grafton Elementary School Parent-Teacher Group.
On the Planning Board, three challengers seek two seats. Running for re-election is Robert Hassinger, who measures his time on the board in decades. Seeking election are Michael Scully and Robert Sims.
Three people are seeking election to the three open spots on the Grafton Public Library Board of Trustees. Seeking re-election are Douglas Bowman and Diane Libbey. Carrie Hogan is seeking her first term on the board.
Also on the ballot is a Farm Animal Excise Tax question: Shall the town of Grafton cease assessing the excise imposed under General Laws Chapter 59, Section 8A on certain animals, machinery and equipment owned by individuals and non-corporate entities principally engaged in agriculture?
All five precincts will vote at Grafton Elementary School on Millbury Street, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Results will be reported live on Election Night on TheDailyGrafton.com.
Comments (7)
As Chair of Grafton's Agricultural Committee, I wish to express that our committee is UNANIMOUS in supporting a YES vote on Question 1. A YES vote will eliminate the excise tax, which, if an Assessor chose to enforce at some date, would actually cost the town much more to collect, than any revenue seen from the taxes generated.
QUESTION 1: *YES*
As a private citizen, and one who knows some of the candidates personally, I'd like to say:
Spinney ; Hassinger ; Scully !!! These men have done fantastic in their calling to serve Grafton thus far, and are hard working and very passionate about what they do. Their continued contributions from their seats on the BoS and Planning Board would continue to ensure that Grafton grows and benefits from their insight on matters coming before the Town even now.
But, no matter whom you vote for, please get out and vote!! It's the greatest gift/blessing we have as citizens of the USA, the right to say who governs us, and how they do it!
Good luck everyone!
What kind of weirdo would keep their kids at home? If your children are sheltered from the unexpected in life they are doomed to fail.
Why would you keep them home?
Hmmmm, Grafton Elementary has not notified parents of this election being held on school grounds tomorrow - I wonder if this will be a surprise to them. I don't like surprises when it comes to my kids - think I'll keep them home.
A surprise? An election @ the same location.....posted all over town....that the town had to set up in advance of today, is not surprise to ges..only to you. When the election was held @ the town hall, do you think all the employees are "notified"? You're an interesting parent. Kids need to adapt to change. The school has got this under control- do you ?
This could go a couple of different ways:
- You are using the tounge-in-cheek humor / sarcasm (that I admire, by the way) about the schools learning their lesson about using small humans as mail carriers for political action committees
- You are a way over the top helicopter mom that has trouble not cutting the crusts off the Sun nut butter sandwich, too scared that your progeny will cut his lip on the sharp bread
- You aren't aware of the post 9/11 police presence at the elementary school today - two as greeters in the lobby of the school, one covering the polling areas. Is there a school resource officer on duty at a school for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders?!?!?!? or just plenty of backup in case someone gives the wrong address?