Pictured here on Election Day this Tuesday morning in front
of the Prattville polling station were School Committee candidate
Shawn O’Regan, District
Pictured here on Election Day this Tuesday morning in front
of the Prattville polling station were School Committee candidate
Shawn O’Regan, District 1 Councillor Paul Murphy,
Scott Levenson, and District 1 Challenger Bob Bishop. This
year’s election in Chelsea provided some real nail biters,
and one Council race has already been tabbed for a recount.
Tuesday’s City Election in Chelsea was characterized by several competitive races but relatively few newcomers winning office.
The District 5 Council seat produced the tightest contest of the evening, pitting Councillor Joe Perlatonda against Challenger Henry Wilson in a race destined for a recount.
Perlatonda emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins, securing 81 votes to Wilson’s 77. A recount has been requested by Wilson, which is customary when races are decided by such small margins. Neither candidate was immediately available to discuss the outcome, and the recount date has not yet been determined.
An unexpectedly competitive race also unfolded on the School Committee ballot. School Committeeman Angel Meza faced off against Challenger Shawn O’Regan for the at-large seat in what proved to be the body’s most significant contest in a decade. Meza prevailed by six votes, 881 to 875. O’Regan demonstrated surprising strength in the Prattville area, catching many observers off guard. No announcement has been made regarding a potential recount in this race.
Councillor Calvin Brown led the At-Large Council race with 1,211 votes, followed by Councillor Leo Robinson with 1,091. The third seat proved hotly contested, with Councillor Brian Hatleberg defeating Challenger Deborah Washington 783 to 701 in a closer-than-expected matchup. (Brown’s later misfortune is detailed in another story on page 2.)
In District 1, Councillor Paul Murphy held off Bob Bishop’s challenge, winning 291 to 210.
District 2 saw Councillor Christopher Cataldo defeat newcomer Todd Nordstrom 153 to 100.
Running unopposed and winning re-election were Matt Frank (District 3), Paula Barton (District 4), Giovanni Recupero (District 6), Clifford Cunningham (District 7) and Dan Cortell (District 8).
Rosemarie Carlisle (District 1), Jeannette Velez (District 2), Carlos Rodriguez (District 3), Lucia Colon (District 4), Lisa Lineweaver (District 5) and Edward Ells (District 8) were re-elected unopposed to the School Committee.
No candidates filed for School Committee districts 6 and 7, though several write-in votes were cast in those districts.