School Committee, Select Board races contested

Feb 28, 2017

Town elections are set for Tuesday, April 4. This year's ballot will include contested races for Select Board and School Committee seats, and a question regarding funding for the new police station.

Incumbent Stanley Mickelson and newcomer Lorri-Ann V. Miller are running for a three-year term on the Select Board. The School Committee includes two, three-year terms up for grabs with three contenders: incumbents Christopher Garth and Carol Karafotis, and newcomer Kathleen Amaral.

The following races are uncontested, with incumbents running for three-year terms: Robert Michaud, Board of Assessors; Wendy Garf-Lipp and Suzanne McDonald, Board of Library Trustees; Thomas Hardman, Board of Health; and Sherri Tetrault, Board of Park Commissioners.

Incumbent Joel Avila is running for another five-year term on the Planning Board. There are also 13 candidates eyeing a position as Town Meeting member.

No one is currently running for a four-year seat with the Dartmouth Housing Authority. Anyone interested should send an application to the housing authority by March 17.

Voters will also be asked to approve a Proposition 2 ½ debt exclusion for the construction of the Dartmouth Police headquarters at the Gidley School site on Tucker Road. If approved, officials will be allowed to increase taxes above the state-mandated limit until the town has repaid money borrowed for construction costs. That total will not include the cost to demolish the Russells Mills headquarters or replace the ball fields at Gidley School.

The last day to register to vote is Wednesday, March 15.