Voter's Guide to Foxborough's 2013 Town Election on April 30th

Last May, . That was a massive improvement over the 2011 town election, which only drew 17 percent voter turnout.

On Tuesday, with two contested races – Board of Selectmen and School Committee – in the annual town election and a special state primary for U.S. Senate, voter turnout is expected to fall somewhere above the 17 percent in 2011 and below the 58 percent in 2012. . Selectmen James DeVellis and Lynda Walsh recused themselves from that vote because both are running for re-election Tuesday.

In advance of Tuesday’s town election, the Foxboro Jaycees sponsored its annual “Candidates Night” at the Foxboro Cable Access Studios on April 11. View the following content below for more information from the event:

Foxborough Jaycees Candidates Night 2013

• Watch the 2013 Foxboro Jaycees Candidates Night by clicking here.

Foxborough Patch has put together the following resident’s guide for Election Tuesday:

When/Where is Town Election?

The 2013 annual town election is Tuesday, April 30th from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ahern Middle School at 111 Mechanic St.

On the Ballot

There are 17 candidates on Tuesday’s town election ballot with 10 candidates running unopposed and two contested races for seats on the Board of Selectmen and school committee.

Three candidates are running for two selectmen seats as John Gray Jr. is running against incumbents Walsh and DeVellis, who are both seeking re-election.

In the school committee race, four candidates are running for two seats. Incumbents Kathleen Adair and Martha P. Slattery are running against Catherine (Kate) Maureen Owens Kominsky and Stephen P. Udden.

Christina M. Belanger is running unopposed for her seat on school committee (two-year term).

Here’s a complete list of who’s on Tuesday’s ballot:

• Library Trustee (3-year term): Joseph Lally; Susan M. Burlone
• Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners (3-year term): Robert Garber
• Town Clerk (3-year term): Robert Cutler
• School Committee (2 open seats; 3-year term): Kathleen Adair; Catherine Maureen Owens Kominsky; Martha P. Slattery; Stephen P. Udden
• School Committee (2-year term): Christina M. Belanger
• Board of Selectmen (2 open seats; 3-year term): John R. Gray Jr.; Lynda Walsh; James J. DeVellis
• Town Moderator (3-year term): Francis J. Spillane
• Board of Health (3-year term): Eric S. Arvedon
• Planning Board (3-year term): Ronald P. Bresse
• Board of Assessors (3-year term): Robert J. Hadge
• Housing Authority (5-year term): Susan E. Perez

Meet the Candidates

Get to know the candidates running for Board of Selectmen and School Committee by viewing the following videos courtesy of Foxboro Cable Access:

Board of Selectmen

• Meet selectman candidate James DeVellis

• Meet selectman candidate Lynda Walsh

• Meet selectman candidate John Gray Jr.

School Committee (Contested)

• Meet school committee candidate Martha Slattery

• Meet school committee candidate Stephen Udden

• Meet school committee candidate Kate Kominski

• Meet school committee candidate Katie Adair

Get Out and Vote!

Foxborough Board of Selectmen chair James DeVellis stressed the importance of town elections at the April 23rd board meeting and encouraged residents to get out and vote Tuesday.

“Election is April 30^th,” DeVellis said. “We are asking you to come out and vote. It’s a simple thing. It’s open all day. In light of what happened last week [the Marathon bombings], don’t take freedom for granted.”

The Opinions

The following are letters to the editor related to the 2013 annual town election submitted to Foxborough Patch by readers (letters are published on a first-come, first-serve basis):

• LETTER: What Really Counts During Foxborough's Election Season

• LETTER: Give Lynda Walsh a 'Voice at the Selectmen's Table'

• LETTER: 'Absolutely Necessary' Foxborough Re-Elect Lynda Walsh and Jim DeVellis for Selectmen

• LETTER: Lynda Walsh Cares About Foxborough; Brings Positive Influence to Board of Selectmen

• LETTER: Vote Stephen Udden for Foxborough School Committee

Who Do You Support?

Foxborough Patch wants to know who you are voting for on Election Tuesday! Write your letter of endorsement and encourage your neighbors to get out and vote Tuesday by posting a blog post on Patch’s Local Voices section by clicking here!