ASHFIELD — The Board of Assessors, Board of Health and School Committee each have two candidates running for single open seats during Saturday’s town election.
Polls will open at 10 a.m. in the Lower Hall of Town Hall.
Mary Link and George Stephan, both caucus-nominated candidates, are vying for a three-year term on the Board of Assessors.
Link has served on the School Committee, the Finance Committee and the Sanderson Academy Local Education Council, and she believes her professional and personal experience makes her a worthy candidate. Link’s 36 years in Ashfield have given her roots in the community, and have bred an interest about issues regarding rural education, regional school funding and local tax burden.
“I understand from my time on the Finance Committee how town finances work and how the finances get set, and the role assessments play in the formula,” Link said. She added that serving town committees and participating in government is important not only for democracy to work, but for the health and well-being of the community.
Since moving to Ashfield about seven and a half years ago, Stephan has worked to stay involved in town. He has experience on the Finance Committee and Board of Assessors, has helped the town make technological advancements and currently serves as emergency management director.
“I am a retired engineer, I have ample time on my hands, and this community is a very special community to me,” he said of one of his reasons behind running for not just the Board of Assessors, but the Board of Health, too.
Stephan said he has the desire and the time to take on two roles, and life experience that can serve the town well.
“You need to put the time and effort into it,” he said, adding that both jobs require more than just showing up to meetings, but a promise to commit to doing field work and talking to the community.
Regarding his candidacy for the Board of Health, Stephan points to his medical background during his service in the Navy, as well as the intersection he has experienced between his work in emergency management and the work of the Board of Health, as the COVID-19 pandemic had them working together to address public health challenges.
The open Board of Health seat is for a three-year term. Opposing Stephan on the ballot is Caroline White.
“A big part of me and my personality is wanting to help people, and I think that this will probably utilize my desired skills and experience,” White said.
As a retired physical therapist, White feels she will bring professional, organizational and empathetic strengths to the board. In situations where the board must make difficult decisions like condemning houses, White sees an opportunity for compassion.
“The BOH is responsible for protecting the public health, promoting sanitary living conditions and protecting the environment,” she said. “This is a unique opportunity for me to help ensure and improve the health of my fellow Ashfield residents.”
Ashfield’s final contested position is for a three-year seat on the School Committee. Incumbent Jennifer Markens is facing caucus-nominated candidate Jennifer Pease.
Markens has served on the committee for three years, is on the Education Subcommittee and chairs the Communications Subcommittee. She said she wants to continue to contribute to a team she has already made strides with.
With experience as a professional advocate with children and families, a trained elementary and secondary education professional, and a licensed social worker, Markens feels prepared to continue to better Ashfield’s educational opportunities.
“It takes a long time to learn the ropes on the School Committee,” she said, citing her own familiarity with the committee as a strength.
“I’m concerned about having a great education in public schools,” she continued. “I also believe that the committee should represent everybody.”
Markens’ opponent Jennifer Pease could not be reached by press time.
In addition to the three contested races, the ballot includes two ballot questions.
“They are both debt exclusions allowing the district to borrow money for capital projects” at Sanderson Academy in Ashfield and Mohawk Trail Regional School in Buckland, according to Town Administrator Jennifer Morse.
At Mohawk Trail Regional School, planned capital projects include electrical updates, carpet and hot water heater replacements, and fire alarm system replacements. At Sanderson Academy, items will include parking lot resurfacing, water treatment system service and smoke detector replacements.