Published in the April 12, 2017 edition
TOWN CLERK Trudy Reid (at podium) administered the oath of office to (l-r): Selectman Phil Crawford, School Committee member Jamie Hayman and Planning Board member Brian Charville Monday night during the selectmen’s meeting after Reid had read the unofficial results of the annual town election into the record. They were all unopposed. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO and MAUREEN DOHERTY
LYNNFIELD — Townspeople voted overwhelmingly to ban recreational marijuana facilities in the annual town election on Monday.
According to the official election results released to the Villager by Town Clerk Trudy Reid, 5.75 percent of the town’s 9,251 registered voters cast ballots in the election.
The recreational marijuana ballot question, which asked voters to make an amendment to the zoning bylaws and general bylaws, passed 370 votes to 149. Since the referendum question not to allow retail marijuana establishments in town (with the exception of approved medical marijuana establishments) passed 370 to 149, the selectmen voted to endorse Articles 21, 22 and 23 on the April 24 Town Meeting warrant, all of which deal with how the town will address the retail marijuana conundrum within its borders.
In addition to residents voting to ban recreational marijuana dispensaries, there were seven incumbents and one political newcomer elected to office in the town election.
Selectman Phil Crawford was easily re-elected to a second three-year term on the board Monday. Crawford has served on the board for four years after initially being elected in 2013 to finish the one year remaining in the term of the late Al Merritt. He collected a total of 394 votes against 122 blanks and 16 write-ins.
After Reid read the unofficial results during the board’s meeting on Monday night, she immediately swore in Crawford alongside School Committee member Jamie Hayman, who retained his seat, and newly elected Planning Board member Brian Charville, who was elected to fill the seat formerly held by Alan Dresios.
The selectmen subsequently reorganized the board with Crawford calling for nominations for chairman. Selectman Dick Dalton nominated Christopher Barrett, which passed unanimously. Barrett nominated Dalton as vice chairman and Crawford as clerk, both of which also passed unanimously.
Hayman was elected to his second three-year term on the School Committee after receiving 399 votes against 133 blanks.
Town Moderator Arthur Bourque was elected to another one year term after receiving 394 votes against 128 blanks and 10 write-ins. He has served as town moderator since 2012. Under the Town Charter, this position is up for renewal annually.
Board of Library Trustees Chairman Robert Calamari Jr. was elected to a fourth three-year term after receiving 403 votes against 129 blanks. Calamari was first elected to the board in April 2007.
Library Trustee Dr. Janine Rodrigues-Saldanha, who succeeded late Library Trustee Seavey Bowdoin, was elected to a one year term after receiving 404 votes against 127 blanks and one write-in. Rodrigues-Saldanha, who will fill the final year remaining of Bowdoin’s term, was appointed to fill the vacancy on the board in a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and Board of Library Trustees last August.
Board of Assessors member Bonnie Celi was re-elected to a three-year term after receiving 394 votes against 149 blanks and one write-in.
Housing Authority Vice Chairman Gerald Shulman was re-elected to a five-year term after receiving 377 votes against 148 blanks and seven write-ins.
Charville was elected to a five-year term on the Planning Board after receiving 378 votes against 149 blanks and five-write-ins.
