Lynnfield releases annual town election results

LYNNFIELD — Voters elected Alexis Leahy to the Select Board seat, defeating incumbent Joe Connell. Incumbents Kate DePrizio and Jim Dillon were also elected for a three-year term to the School Committee, defeating Planning Board Member Brian Charville. Jenny Sheehan and Kristen Elworthy were elected to a one-year School Committee term, defeating Kimberly Baker-Donahue. 1,044 people voted for Leahy, while 989 voted for Connell. “I look forward to working with you,” Leahy said to her fellow Select Board members as she assumed the seat for her first meeting. In a recent Q and A with The Weekly News, Leahy said she believes that representation matters in the governance of the town and that her priorities, if elected, will be to explore additional revenue sources, plan for the longer term, including the development of a capital plan to prevent quick “band-aid fixes” from happening, and ensuring that residents are well informed about the decisions being recommended in town government. “The public safety project will be a focus to ensure it’s completed in a timely fashion and within budget, while ensuring emergency response is covered sufficiently,” Leahy said. “The schools will require additional attention given concerns that have been brought to light.” Assistant Town Administrator Bob Curtin said that Leahy is the third woman to be a Select Board member in Lynnfield’s history. Voters also elected Darlene Kumar to a two-year seat on the Board of Library Trustees, defeating incumbent Russell Boekenkroeger. Joseph Gallagher and Anne Malenfant are also now a part of the Board of Library Trustees. Donald Garrity was also re-elected to the Board of Assessors, Amy MacNulty was re-elected to the Planning Board, and Steven Walsh is now the Town Moderator. Dick Dalton also assumed the position of Select Board chair, while Phil Crawford is now vice chair. Town Clerk Amanda Haggstrom said that 2,167 people voted this year. “Great turnout today!” Dolan exclaimed, greeting voters at the entrance of the Lynnfield High School gym towards the time when polls were about to close.