Jaffrey candidates discussed their qualifications for office in the Woman’s Club on Main Street on Feb. 26. All town positions are uncontested this year.
First-time candidates included Alicia Vitello, running for School Board, and Supervisor of the Checklist hopeful Kathleen Devlin. John Stone and Paul Hutchinson, both running for re-election as library trustee and town moderator, respectively, also attended.
Selectman Charles Turcotte, Trust Fund trustee Nancy Belletete, Treasurer Sandra Stewart and Town Clerk Kelly Rollins, who are all up for re-election, were not present. However, Turcotte had Assistant Moderator Marc Tieger read a letter to the town making his case.
More than 20 Jaffrey residents attended the Thursday evening event.
School Board candidate Vitello has lived in town for almost 22 years. “I’m qualified because I’m a mom,” she told the audience. She said having two high school-age children in the system since grade school familiarized her with the district’s different components. She highlighted her time serving on multiple boards, including the Student-Parent Association as relevant experience.
“I stand behind what the board is already doing,” she said, noting its open communication and board members being mindful of taxes while crafting the budget.
When asked by audience member Christine Pressman what she thought the most difficult issue the school faced was, Vitello said lack of support from the state.
Former School Board member John McCarthy followed up by asking what gave Vitello the impetus to run. “I’ve always been a sucker for volunteering,” she said. “Volunteers are important, and without them, we don’t have organizations like boards.”
Devlin, a lifelong Jaffrey resident, said she recently retired and could devote ample time to town work. She cited her professional experience in the non-profit world, such as running state-wide programs in Vermont, as a factor qualifying her for Supervisor of the Checklist. “All my tasks have been mission-driven, so this is just one more mission-driven position,” she said.
Stone, the unopposed Board of Library Trustees candidate, has lived in town since 1978.
“I taught sixth grade at the middle school, and then eventually served as the principal,” he said. According to Stone, the library’s first objective is to meet the needs of the public. He noted its mission is to serve as the community resource where everyone can gather, learn and succeed in an inclusive environment. “Our vision is to contribute to advancing a technologically informed and literate citizenship.”
Selectman Andrew Lawn asked Stone if the library would continue supporting a farmer’s market in front of the building. Stone said that while the library doesn’t sponsor the market, it was in support of having one.
Hutchinson, a Boston University professor and the unopposed candidate for town moderator, is on his first re-election cycle. He referenced his family history as a driving factor behind running for the position. “My dad was the town clerk for Adams, Mass.,” he said. “Elections have always been a big part of my life and I’m so very thankful to have a connection to what democracy is all about.”
Hutchinson said aside from already having served in the position, his ability to get young people involved in the community qualifies him for the position. “Outside of my regular job and position as town moderator, I’m an assistant Scout master for Troop 33.”
In Turcotte’s letter to the town, he said he would continue to work diligently for Jaffrey. He highlighted various projects completed during his tenure, including the Cold Stone Spring water system, and efforts to keep taxes low.
Residents can vote at the town’s March 10 election.