June 19, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer
With a week to go before the June 27 town election, there is now one race rather than two -- for school committee.
Selectman candidate Kirk Shilts withdrew his candidacy for the selectman seat yesterday, leaving selectman candidate William Ramsey to run unopposed for the seat now occupied by Karen Johnson, who is not seeking another term.
Shilts explained the reasons behind his decision: "Due to the new COVID-19 requirements affecting my chiropractic practice, and patients slowly returning to my office due to the easing of some of the COVID-19 restrictions -- coupled with the need to hire new staff -- I feel I need to focus my energy on my practice at this time," he told the Hingham Anchor.
"In addition, after further thought, I still have two years left on my sewer commission and health board terms and would like continue working on significant projects yet to be completed by both the commission and the board -- including developing the South Hingham sewer district and dealing with the Covid-19 safeguards for our town's businesses."
After working with Ramsey in town government over the past 20 years, Shilts said he feels "thoroughly comfortable and confident that Bill will be a great selectman."
As for those who may have already voted for Shilts through absentee or early voting, Town Clerk Eileen McCracken said that "both the absentee and early voting are final."
There's also a three-way race for two school committee seats among incumbent Michelle Ayer, Stephanie Gertz, and Jennifer Benham. Edward Schreier is not running for another term.
Rita Da Silva is running unopposed for Ramsey's planning board seat, which expires this year.
During this very different election season, there's still time to submit your absentee or early voting ballot for the Saturday, June 27, town election. The date was changed from Saturday, May 2, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of June 11, 323 voters had submitted absentee or early voter ballots.
Citizens who plan to submit an early voting or absentee ballot must return it to the Town Clerk by June 27, the day of the election.
In-person voting will be allowed on the day of the town election for those voters -- wearing face masks and with social distancing in place -- who don't wish to submit either of the above ballots. (See below for details.)
McCracken is predicting a voter turnout (including early voting and absentee ballot submissions) of between 15 to 20 percent, typical of most town elections. "The percentage might be slightly higher because more people have asked for absentee ballots for this election than sometimes vote at a town election," she said.
As for expected turnout at the actual polls on June 27, McCracken said that would be hard to predict. "We have had many different people beyond the residents who usually request absentee ballots, asking for one for this election," she said.
The following incumbents are running unopposed: Town Moderator Michael Puzo, board of assessors member Greg Hall, Elizabeth Eldredge of the board of health, Hingham Municipal Light Board member John Ryan, Sewer Commissioner Stephen Harold, Housing Authority member Megan Buhr, and Recreation Commissioner Adrienne Ramsey.
Contact the Town Clerk’s office at TownClerk@hingham-ma.gov or 781-741-1410 with questions. Go to https://hinghamanchor.com/absentee-and-early-voting-ballots-available-by-mail/#more-12214 for election information. You can view ballot at: https://www.hingham-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9897/2020-Town-Election-Ballot
Absentee and early voting involves a long process for the Town Clerk's office. "There are a lot of steps to it, and then on election day there are a couple more," McCracken said. "I am very interested to see how many will vote on the action day. If not many people vote in-person at their polling place, I'm sure we will be busy processing absentee ballots."
At McCracken's request, the selectmen recently voted to move sub-precinct 5A from Linden Ponds, 201 Linden Ponds Way (Willard Square) to the Middle School, 1103 Main St. -- where Precinct 5 and 6 now reside -- for the June 27 town election only, in part at the request of a Linden Ponds resident. Precinct 5A was originally part of Precinct 5.
For those who choose to vote in-person, here's where to go:
- Precincts 1-4 - Hingham High School, 17 Union St.
- Precincts 5, 5A (Linden Ponds), 6 - Hingham Middle School, 1103 Main St.
The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You can find links to each of the candidate profiles, below:
Michelle Ayer, Candidate for School Committee
Jen Benham, Candidate for School Committee
Stephanie Gertz, Candidate for School Committee
Bill Ramsey, Candidate for Board of Selectman