Kokoros Wins Braintree Mayoral Race By 140 Votes

BRAINTREE, MA — Town Councilor Charles Kokoros edged out Electric Light Board chair Thomas Reynolds by a 140-vote margin to win the Braintree mayoral race Tuesday. The unofficial vote tally was 4,976-4,836. Kokoros is Braintree's second mayor following Joseph Sullivan, who retired.

Five new members were elected to the Town Council, including Julia Flaherty in District 1, Steven Sciascia in District 2, Donna Connors in District 3, Meredith Boericke in District 5, and Lawrence Mackin Jr. in District 6. District 5 Council David Ringius will also remain on the Town Council, winning one of the three at-large seats. Eight of the council's nine seats were up for grabs Tuesday. Five of the races were for open seats.

Voter turnout shattered the previous two elections, with 37.2 percent of registered voters casting ballots. It eclipsed the 14.2 percent total is 2017 and 17.8 percent total in 2015.

With new leadership, Braintree's incoming mayor and council members will deal with the question that's been on the mind of every voter Patch has talked to: What is the town's plan for re-zoning?

Re-zoning and protecting the town from the state's 40B and 40R affordable housing laws that allow developers to bypass local zoning laws have been hot-button issues since hundreds of residents protested a proposed re-zoning ordinance, arguing it would allow too much overcrowded housing and fundamentally change Braintree's "small-town character."

Kokoros has told Braintree residents he wants to see the re-zoning ordinance rejected because he believes it would allow for too much multi-family housing and change the character of the town. He also argued that a master plan be completed before any zoning re-writes are approved.

The newcomers to the Town Council said they are ready to work on the issues most important to their constituents when their terms start in January. Flaherty said one of the best parts was meeting so many people and getting such a great response.

"I am thrilled with how the election turned out," Flaherty told Patch. "It was a hard election but I met a huge number of people, and I'm happy they were as thrilled to meet me as I was to meet them."

Flaherty emphasized there's more work to do before starting her term.

"I need to reach out to District 1 and make sure they know how to reach me because I intend to be their voice."

Boericke issued a similar sentiment, saying it's crucial for her to continue talking to people and making sure their voices are represented.

"I'm just really looking forward to getting to work and chatting with people, learning as much as I can between now and January," Boericke said.

Mackin said the night was a great moment for a couple of reasons. First, he had all his friends and family over his house, so all of them got the news together. But Mackin was also excited because he was elected the night before his birthday.

"My birthday is tomorrow, so this was kind of the best present," Mackin told Patch.

Mackin said his next step will be researching the committees he wants to serve on to make sure he can "hit the ground running" in January.

"I'd like to bring accountability to the council," Mackin added when asked what he plans to do when his term begins. "I work in business, so I always set up a plan with achievements and objectives. We need a way to measure performance."

Sciascia said he was "a little surprised and excited" after winning in District 2. He's excited to work with Kokoros because he believes he has a similar opinion of where Braintree should be headed — particularly with creating a master plan before approving re-zoning.

"I think we both feel that we need to plan for the future and everything else comes from the plan," Sciascia told Patch.

Connors was also excited and said she was "humbled by the faith" District 3's constituents had in her.

"I am looking forward to ensuring east Braintree residents' voices are heard," she said.

Races for School Committee, Electric Light Board, Housing Authority, and Library Trustee were not contested.

Election Results

These are unofficial results. Winners printed in bold type. Candidates for re-election are marked with an asterisk (*).

Mayor

Top vote-getter elected.

Town Council, At-Large

Top three elected.

Town Council, District 1

Top vote-getter elected.

Town Council, District 2

Top vote-getter elected.

Town Council, District 3

Top vote-getter elected.

Town Council, District 4

Top vote-getter elected.

Town Council, District 5

Top vote-getter elected.

Town Council, District 6

Top vote-getter elected.

School Committee

Top three elected.

Library Trustees

Top five elected.

Electric Light Board

Top vote-getter elected.

Housing Authority

Top two elected.