What to know before you go

Maynard’s Annual Town Election is Tuesday, May 5, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Fowler School, 3 Tiger Drive. This year’s ballot includes seven seats across four town bodies. Four of those seats have no printed candidate and will be decided entirely by write-in votes.

Here’s a look at what’s on your ballot and why it matters.

Select Board

The Select Board is Maynard’s primary governing body. Its five members set town policy, approve the annual budget, issue licenses, appoint the Town Administrator and oversee town departments. Two seats are up this year, both three-year terms. Incumbents David D. Gavin and Jeffrey Charles Swanberg Jr. are running for re-election and are the only named candidates.

School Committee

The School Committee sets educational policy for Maynard’s public schools, hires and evaluates the superintendent and approves the school budget — typically the largest single line item in the town’s annual spending plan. Two three-year seats are open. Bryan Tyler Delaney, of 129 Acton St., is the only named candidate for two seats.

Library Board of Trustees

The Library Board of Trustees oversees the operation and funding of the Maynard Public Library on Nason Street, working with Library Director Jean Maguire on programming, collections, staffing and the library’s annual budget request to the town. There is no printed candidate for the one open three-year seat.

The Voice reached out to the write-in candidates for this race and asked them to share why they’re running. Here’s what they said, in their own words:

Richard Pepin | Library Trustee | 15 Maple Court

VOTE RICHARD PEPIN FOR LIBRARY TRUSTEE

Hi, I’m Richard Pepin.

I live at 15 Maple Court, here in town.

You’ve probably seen me walking or cycling around town – the baseball cap, the hair, the flannel shirt – that’s me.

Well, I’m running as a write-in candidate for Maynard Public Library trustee – the position became open, I was asked to run by several folks in town and I think I would be a good fit for this job.

A little background:

I have spent my adult life working in the museum exhibit business and have recently become semi-retired from this field.

My wife Sandra and I moved to Maynard in 1996 and immediately fell in love with this town. One could walk to anywhere in town, there was always something going on, and whenever there was, it seemed like everyone in town showed up! Our twins, Zoe and Lucas were born in 2001 and grew up in the Maynard Public Library – we marched in the famous “Library Parade” when the Library opened in its current location and I can remember reading the whole “Wizard of Oz” (all 14 books!) series to the kids when they were about 6 – the Maynard Public Library had them all! Zoe worked at the library as a page when she was in high school and I still go to the library most days to keep current with the newspapers and magazines. Oh, and by the way, my mother in law served as director of the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington, MA during its major expansion in the 90’s and is now retired from there.

Qualifications:

For the past 6 years I have served on the Maynard Cultural Council, serving as chair for my last year before leaving that group due to term limits. I am a member of the Maynard Cultural District Working Group and in that capacity have helped to fund or organize the Maynard Jazz and Country Festivals, Maynard Pride, Shakespeare in the Park and a host of other events here in town. I am a member of the Maynard Economic Development Committee and report to that body on the cultural activities in town – Maynard is rapidly becoming a cultural center in the region and it is gratifying to be part of that.

I also play bass in “The Lookouts” here in town so you’ve probably seen me there too!

I am a big believer in the role public libraries play in our society and here in Maynard we’ve got a great one.

It would be my honor to serve as trustee and help the Maynard Public Library continue to be among the best there is.

SO IF YOU THINK I WOULD BE A GOOD FIT, WRITE IN “RICHARD PEPIN” FOR MAYNARD LIBRARY TRUSTEE!

Thanks,

Rich

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Kevin Gervais | Library Trustee | 48 Parker St.

I’ve called Maynard home for 11 years. And I’ve been looking for a way to give to the community for a while. I can’t think of a better place to serve than the Maynard Public Library. As a Trustee, I will support the ongoing, excellent work of Jean Maguire and the superb staff of the library. There are a number of exciting initiatives that are in the works, and I hope to lend my management experience where it will be useful. I currently work from home which gives me some flexibility in my schedule. Recently, I began volunteering every other week to deliver for Open Table. To vote for me, you’ll need to use the write-in line for the Library Trustee on the ballot.

Kevin Gervais, 48 Parker St.

Thank you for supporting me and supporting the Maynard Public Library.

Housing Authority

The Maynard Housing Authority manages 173 units of affordable housing across three properties. The authority also administers 29 Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program vouchers. Its elected board of commissioners oversees management, policy and finances for all of it.

Two seats are on the ballot — a four-year term and a five-year term — and both are write-in only.

The Voice reached out to the write-in candidates for both seats and asked them to share why they’re running. Here’s what they said, in their own words:

Michael Chambers | Housing Authority, Four-Year Term | 14B Concord St. Circle

Greetings! My name is Michael Chambers and I am running as a write in candidate for the 4 year term on the Maynard Housing Authority. A little about me: I am a 62 year resident of Maynard and served about 7 years on the Maynard Recreation Committee and 6 years on the Maynard CPC Committee with the last 2 years as the chairman. I am the co-founder and past president of the Maynard Babe Ruth League and president of the Minuteman Babe Ruth League. I have also done volunteer work for the Semper Fi Fund, Veterans Advocacy Service and Remembering Maynard’s Own Fund and served on the Maynard Police Department as a special officer.

I presently live at 14B Concord St Circle (Maynard Housing Authority property) and have resided there for the past 5 years. I am running for this seat because I feel there could be improvements within the housing authority and would like to look for some type of grant that would allow each location to have exercise equipment for those who can’t get out or afford membership to a gym. My experience in volunteer organizations and my professional work experience has proven me to be a person who can analyze issues and come up with an improved way of doing things! I would appreciate your consideration for voting for me and the Town Clerk said that my address is needed on your ballot plus make sure it is the 4 year term and not the 5 year term. Voting is May 5th! Thank you for your consideration!

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Patrick Greene | Housing Authority, Five-Year Term | 9 Apple Ridge, Unit 2

I believe in the indispensable value of an engaged and local government that represents the people of this town, and I believe in the mission of the Housing Authority. Low income housing is both the cheapest and the kindest way to assist the most vulnerable in and around our communities. These programs overwhelmingly support the elderly and disabled. As a commissioner, I plan to work to ensure that tenant needs are provided for with dignity.

I am happy to announce that I am running a write-in campaign for the 5 year term of the Maynard Housing Authority.

I also need people to vote for me. I am running a write-in campaign, which means my name will not be on the ballot. If you would like to vote for me, first and foremost, go vote in Tuesday’s town election. Then:

•       Select the write-in space for the Maynard Housing Authority with the 5 year term

•       Write in my name and address: Pat Greene, 9 Apple Ridge, Unit 2

•       Fill in the oval to select the write-in field.

How to cast a write-in vote

Any voter may write in any eligible Maynard resident’s name for any open seat — the candidates featured above have simply organized campaigns to let voters know they are seeking the position. On the line marked “(Write-in),” print the candidate’s name and address, then fill in the oval next to that line. A write-in without a filled oval will not be counted. For the Housing Authority races, make sure you’re writing your candidate on the correct term line (four-year or five-year), as they appear as separate races on the ballot.

Polls are open Tuesday, May 5, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Fowler School, 3 Tiger Drive. For registration and polling place information, contact the Town Clerk’s office at 978-897-1300 or visit townofmaynard-ma.gov.