Reading Town Election 2021: Newcomers Haley, McLaughlin Win

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 was up against 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.

Despite withdrawing from the RMLD race, Alison Friedmann received 546 votes.

See vote totals below:

Select Board (choose 1) – Three-year term

• Vanessa Alvarado (incumbent) - 1,842
• Christopher Haley - 1,997

School Committee (choose 2) – Three-year term

• Shawn Brandt (incumbent) - 1,955
• Geoffrey Coram - 1,926
• Sarah McLaughlin - 2,020

Municipal Light Board (choose 2) – Three-year term

• John Stempeck (incumbent) - 1,582
• Marlena Bita - 1,641
• James Satterthwaite - 1,557

Board of Library Trustees (choose 2) – Three-year term

• Andrew Grimes (incumbent) - 2,035
• Monique Gnanaratnam - 1,712
• Harry Lomas III - 1,285

Click here for the results of the Town Meeting races.