3rd Challenger Enters 2021 Milford School Committee Race

MILFORD, MA — A fourth challenger has stepped into the 2021 Milford School Committee race, making it the most crowded race of the year so far.

Milford parent Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. pulled papers to run for a seat on Friday. Vasquez joins RJ Sheedy and Matthew Zacchilli as the third non-incumbent. School Committee member Laura Ingemi has announced she's not running in 2021, but incumbents Meghan Hornberger and Christopher Wilson are.

"This job is an enormous time commitment and, at this time, I need to focus on my family and my other commitments," Ingemi said in a statement about her choice not to run for a second term. "I will continue to work in the best interests of students, teachers, and families in Milford during my remaining time on the committee."

Vasquez has been vocal about returning students to classrooms this year. He spoke at the Jan. 28 School Committee meeting, where Milford Teachers Associations leaders asked the committee to reconsider returning to classrooms due to high local coronavirus cases. Vasquez criticized teachers for pushing back on the hybrid return.

"The children should be the focus of the community, not the teachers," he said.

The hybrid return was set for Monday, but was delayed due to Monday's nor'easter.

Eleven boards and commissions, including Town Moderator, are up for election in the 2021 election. Here are the candidates who have either pulled papers, filed papers or decided not to run as of Feb. 2, according to the town clerk:

Board of Assessors (1 seat)

• Joshua Lioce (i) — Pulled papers on Jan. 11

Board of Health (1 seat)

• Kenneth Evans (i) — Pulled papers on Jan. 4

Board of Library Trustees (2 seats)

• Jennifer DeMarche-Yohn (i) — Not running
• Marco Bon Temp (i) — Had not pulled papers as of Jan. 25
• Scott Vecchiolla — Returned papers on Jan. 22

Board of Selectmen (1 seat)

• William Kingkade (i) — Not running
• Paul Mazzuchelli — Pulled papers on Jan. 4

Milford Housing Authority (1 seat)

• Katherine Consigli (i) — Returned papers on Jan. 19

Milford Parks Commission (1 seat)

• Joseph Arcudi (i) — Returned papers on Jan. 26
• William Cavazza III — Pulled papers on Jan. 21

Milford Planning Board (1 seat)

• Bryan Cole — Returned papers on Jan. 25
• John Ted DePalo Jr. — Pulled papers on Jan. 21
• Lena McCarthy (i) — Not running

Milford School Committee (3 seats)

• Meghan Hornberger (i) — Returned papers on Jan. 25
• Laura Ingemi (i) — Not running
• RJ Sheedy — Returned papers on Jan. 19
• Matthew Zacchilli — Pulled papers on Jan. 22
• Christopher Wilson (i) — Pulled papers on Jan. 15
• Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. — Pulled papers on Jan. 29

Sewer Commissioner (1 seat)

• Rudolph Lioce (i) — Pulled papers on Jan. 12

Town Moderator (1 seat)

• Gerald Moody Sr. — Returned papers on Jan. 14
• Michael Aghanjanian — Pulled papers but not running
• Michelangelo Bon Tempo — Returned papers on Jan. 20

Vernon Grove Cemetery Trustees (2 seats)

• Ronald Gray (i) — Has not pulled papers
• Mary Ann Fiske (i) — Not running