Foxborough Coronavirus: Election, Town Meeting Postponed

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The Board of Selectmen voted to postpone the Foxborough town election and annual town meeting because of the new coronavirus pandemic.

The unanimous vote moved the town election from May 4 to June 8 and annual town meeting from May 11 to June 15.

Town Clerk Bob Cutler said new state legislation gave cities and towns the ability to postpone elections, but those elections need to be conducted by June 30. But if the COVID-19 crisis doesn't improve by then, he imagines new legislation will pass again of elections need to be moved again.

Absentee ballots will also be available for those who don't want to vote in person and would rather vote early.

If further delays prove to be necessary, it would most likely affect annual town meeting, as it requires 100 registered voters for a quorum.

Town Moderator Frank Spillane said normally, a town meeting would have to be conducted by the end of the fiscal year. But emergency legislation allows him to postpone past the July 1 deadline. Still, Spillane said he thinks June 15 would prove doable.

"I think if we have the election, the chances of having town meeting are very good too," Spillane said.

The 2020 town election will be one of the most competitive ones in years. There are 17 candidates vying for eight available seats on town boards.

With Selectman David Feldman not seeking re-election, three candidates will run for the seat: David Coffey, Jack Kerzner and Stephanie McGowan. David Palie had taken out nomination papers but did not return them with signatures from at least 50 registered Foxborough voters by the filing deadline.

Two candidates will be on the ballot for the School Committee seat to be vacated by three-term Committee member Beverley Lord. Michelle Raymond and Salina Chowdhury will run in the open race. There are also contested races for Housing Authority.

Candidates not seeking re-election will remain in office until after an election can safely be held, Cutler said.