This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Voting Remains Important in Medfield Despite Lack of Candidates

This season's only contested town election race is for two chairs on the Library Trustees. The three candidates are: Lauren Feeney, Tim Hughes, and Fred Rogers.

With a very light ballot and only one contested race this election season, the real issue is getting people to run for public office.

“It’s important to vote on Monday to let people in public office know that the public is keeping an eye on what is going on, that it cares what’s going on, but I guess even more important than voting is getting people to run for office,” said Town Administrator Michael Sullivan. 

Sullivan said he understands that people are busy in their personal lives but says it may have to do with the economy as well.

Find out what's happening in Medfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“These days it doesn’t have the appeal as it did when there was a little money to spend,” he said.  “Now, it’s all about budget cutting and that makes it less appealing for people to run.”

This season’s only contested race is for Library Trustee.  Earlier this week, James Shilale announced that he was no longer running for a seat on the Board of Selectmen.

Find out what's happening in Medfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“He has not said anything to me officially,” said Town Clerk Carol Mayer, noting that the candidate’s name is already printed on the election ballots.  

Running for Library Trustee are Lauren Feeney, Tim Hughes, and Fred Rogers.

Feeney said her experience as a member of the Medfield Public Library Long Term Planning Committee has helped her gain first-hand knowledge of what different constituents were looking for from the Library; and her job as a Process Improvement Manager for Staples, Inc. requires that she work with a diverse group of stakeholders. 

“That means I have to listen, set priorities, and manage complex problems – all skills that I can transfer to the Board of Trustees,” said Feeney.

She is a member of the Library’s Long-Term Planning Board, a current Board member of the Friends of the Medfield Public Library, and proud member of the “Clean-Up Crew” for the Library’s Book Sales.  She says her “unique set of management skills” would benefit the Library which she considers “a cornerstone of what makes Medfield such a great place to live.”

Tim Hughes said he is running for the seat because he “has a lot of library experience.” 

Hughes worked at the Medfield Public Library for more than 20 years before retiring in 2009 as the reference librarian.  He has a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Simmons College.  He currently volunteers there three days a week. 

“It’s a place that I care very deeply about,” he said.  “I really am very familiar with many aspects of the library, with the staff, and the day-to-day routines…I really want to make sure that it remains a viable institution, I think it’s a real valuable asset to the community.”

Fred Rogers is also running for the position of Library Trustee.  Rogers said he is a constant user of the library, using it seven days a week.

“It’s already a great library, it has almost everything you could possibly ask for,” said Rogers. 

Rogers said he would consider putting the computers back in the upstairs meeting room so they are in a central location, and he would consider eliminating (or at least not adding any more) self-check-out stations.

“I’m concerned that they take away the personal touch,” he said.

Rogers said he has a passion for the library, that people know him, and he hopes people will vote for him.

“I’m hoping that the people will at least give me a chance,” he said.  “All of the people who have lived in town as long as I have, know me.  I’m quite visible … the only promise I can make is to do the very best I can.” 

Mark Fisher Running for Second Term as Selectman

According to his website, Fisher has served on the town’s Warrant Committee for five years where he used his budget experience, he has a financial background being in community banking for more than 30 years, he has established solid relationships with department heads and boards, and he has demonstrated volunteer commitment to the Town.  He graduated from Medfield High School in 1974, and is a direct descendant of Joseph Clark, one of 13 founding fathers of Medfield (he is the 11th generation to live in town).

Medfield School Committee candidate Debra Noschese is on the ballot as unopposed, but Eileen DeSisto has stepped up as a write-in candidate to fill the seat left vacant by . 

Noschese has been on the school committee nine years, some of that time as chairwoman. She is hoping to be re-elected to a fourth term.

"It has been an honor to be a part of a committee that is so dedicated to assuring the town offers the highest quality education while keeping per pupil spending low," said Noschese.  "The last few years have been extremely difficult to manage given the economic downturn and reduction in state aid.  As a committee we consciously make decisions that reduce the impact on our students and learning.  I want to continue this important work and insure we maintain adequate class sizes and high educational standards as 21st century learning progresses."

DeSisto is a write-in candidate who is a certified public accountant who has four children, one of them in first grade.

“I think it’s a very important position,” said DeSisto.  “I think the school committee has done a wonderful job and I just want that to continue.”

To write in a candidate, simply write the person’s name in the empty box under the position available and also close in the arrow beside that name.

 Running unopposed is Scott McDermott for Moderator; Francis Perry III for Assessor; Stephen Browne for the Planning Board; and Lisa Louttit and Robert Tatro for Park Commissioner.  There is one seat available for Trust Fund Commissioner but no one listed on the ballot.

 The town of Medfield has 8,174 registered voters and a population of 12,554. Polls open at 6 a.m. Monday at the Senior Center on 1 Ice House Rd. and close at 8 p.m.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?