Reading Town Election 2021: Newcomers Haley, McLaughlin Win

Reading MA

06 April, 2021

8:00 PM

Description

READING, MA — Reading voters headed to the polls Tuesday to cast a ballot in the 2021 Town Election. There were contested races for Select Board, School Committee, Municipal Light Board, Board of Library Trustees and Town Meeting. The polls closed at 8 p.m. Voters also had the option to cast a ballot by mail thanks to expanded rules that allowed any person taking precautions related to COVID-19 to qualify for absentee voting by reason of physical disability. Small business owner Christopher Haley, a newcomer to the political scene in Reading, unseated incumbent Vanessa Alvarado for a three-year seat on the Select Board. School Committee member Shawn Brandt was re-elected to a three-year term, edging out challenger Geoffrey Coram by fewer than 20 votes. Sarah McLaughlin was also elected to the School Committee, receiving the most votes of the three candidates. The Reading Municipal Light Department board of commissioners' race drew attention this year, as incumbent John Stempeck faced criticism for trying to reorganize the board's leadership ahead of the election. He faced challengers Marlena Bita and James Satterthwaite. Stempeck was ultimately re-elected by a margin of 25 votes. Bita received the most votes and will join the board as well. See vote totals below: Select Board (choose 1) – Three-year term Vanessa Alvarado (incumbent) - 1,842Christopher Haley - 1,997 School Committee (choose 2) – Three-year term Shawn Brandt (incumbent) - 1,955Geoffrey Coram - 1,926Sarah McLaughlin - 2,020 Municipal Light Board (choose 2) – Three-year term John Stempeck (incumbent) - 1,582Marlena Bita - 1,641James Satterthwaite - 1,557 Board of Library Trustees (choose 2) – Three-year term Andrew Grimes (incumbent) - 2,035Monique Gnanaratnam - 1,712Harry Lomas III - 1,285Click here for the results of the Town Meeting races.