Merrimac write-in votes tallied, winners announced

By Robin Thomas
Correspondent

May 07, 2008 03:29 am

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MERRIMAC — Election workers counted late into the night to decide three races decided by write-in votes on Monday.

Jill McGrail of West Main Street will complete the two-year term for the School Committee seat that was held by Val Corradino. McGrail beat Glenn Cleaver of Lanes Ten Acres Road with 61 votes to his 19.

McGrail will join Maureen Moran of Landau Lane and Todd Treado of Locust Street, who ran unopposed. Moran was re-elected to her second three-year term, and Treado will return for another year in the unexpired position that he held last year.

As the only new member on the School Committee, McGrail previously stated that she wants to "support the schools in any way I can. The more involved you get, the more you have your voice heard. I want to support the parents and bring their voices to the School Committee."

McGrail became a write-in candidate after Moran made her aware that the position was open. No one turned in election papers for the open seat, so no names appeared on the ballot. Moran, who served as chairman of the School Committee last year, welcomed McGrail to the committee.

"She's been very involved in our town throughout the years," Moran said. "I think her involvement in the town will be a good asset to the community."

Selectman Carol Traynor will join the Board of Health for the next year to complete an unexpired term. Her write-in campaign brought in 51 votes.

The constable position, which was unfilled all last year, will be held for the next two years by write-in candidate and Merrimac police officer David Vance of Pleasant View Avenue. His 36 votes exceeded the 15 votes gained by Eileen Hurley of Adams Street from her write-in campaign. Hurley was re-elected to her seat on the Board of Health.