MONTAGUE — Though election day usually runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., polls in the June 22 town election will only be open from noon to 7 p.m., as part of an effort to limit social contact amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Reducing the polling hours was approved at the recommendation of Town Clerk Deb Bourbeau, who told the Selectboard that many towns are reducing their polling hours in light of the health crisis.
Legally, the town must have polls open for at least four hours. Bourbeau recommended seven hours, and recommended opening by noon at the latest, to be accessible to people voting after work.
Bourbeau said she is also encouraging people to vote by mail, rather than at their precinct’s polling place.
Applications to receive a mail-in ballot are available on the homepage of the town’s website, montague-ma.gov, and in the vestibule of Town Hall. Applications can be submitted in the dropbox at Town Hall, or mailed to the Town Clerk’s Office, 1 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376.
“I plan on plastering it everywhere,” Bourbeau said of the application.
This year’s town election includes a contested Selectboard race. However, the only candidate on the ballot is Ashley Arthur, owner and chef of the Five Eyed Fox. Incumbent Mike Nelson is not on the ballot, but plans to run as a write-in candidate, he said.
Two openings for Montague representatives on the Gill-Montague Regional School District School Committee are also on the ballot. No one was nominated for these positions, and the people whose terms are ending, Thomi Hall and Cassi Damkoehler, are not on the ballot for re-election.
A School Committee position for a Gill representative is also on the ballot, but the incumbent Bill Tomb is running for re-election.
The ballot also includes the following uncontested positions:
■Assessor, three-year term — Paul Emery, incumbent
■Board of Health, three-year term — Mike Nelson, incubent
■Library trustee, three-year term — David Harmon, incumbent
■Montague Housing Authority, five-year term — Paula Girard
■Parks and Recreation Commission, three-year term — Dennis Grader
■Soldiers memorial trustee, three-year term — Chris Boutwell.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.