Jodi Lynn Bauer, Mattapoisett Select Board member, chairman and candidate won re-election on Monday night, fending off a challenge from Kathleen Costello, former principal assessor for the town.
After publicly reading the results from four separate counts categorizing the tallies by precincts and early versus day-of-election voting, Town Clerk Catherine Heuberger and her staff were still working late into the evening, tallying up “a handful” of remaining votes from Town Hall believed to be no more than a dozen that would not have swung any of the contested races.
Based on the addition of the four categories Heuberger announced roughly 35 minutes after the polls closed, the incumbent Bauer outpaced Costello, 952-880, with one write-in vote and 34 left blank.
Assessor Leonard Coppola lost his seat to Alan Apperson, who won 865-806 with 4 write-in votes and 192 left blank.
With 1,176 votes, James Muse maintained his seat on the Mattapoisett School Committee, and Jack LeBrun won the other open seat by outpacing Kathleen Ann McArdle-LeClair, 1,091-876.
Bauer campaigned on a platform that noted a lifelong commitment to her hometown and being a board member that would represent and serve all the people in the community.
The Wanderer caught up with the two candidates prior to the polls closing to hear how they were feeling and any last-minute thoughts.
Costello expressed she was a little anxious but looked forward to working collaboratively on matters brought before the board. She said that whether or not she wins, she would offer a helping hand with affordable housing making the top of her list of pressing matters for the town. She hoped that whomever won people would rally around and work together.
After unofficial results were read by the town clerk, Costello said, “I wish Jodi all the luck in the world. It was a close race, and she ran a great campaign. Anything I can do to be supportive, they just need to let me know.”
Bauer said before the polls closed that a daunting number of projects face the town from Long Wharf to roadways and drainage and that housing was top on her list. “We need to look at the bylaws, at accessory dwelling units,” said Bauer, expressing hope that voters would give her the opportunity to continue to work on their behalf. Her wish was granted on this night.
After the count was announced, Bauer said she was ready to “get back to work.” She thanked family, friends and supporters, saying they are “great people.”
Muse was thrilled with the turnout in Mattapoisett, which he said was of utmost importance.
“Great election, fantastic turnout, I’m very happy that the people cared,” he said. “We have work to do; doing the job of running the schools is a big-time, full-time job just to be level, just to get it done.”
“There are issues on our school committee, and I could have said a lot – I didn’t,” said McArdle-LeClair, who said she would like to see the committee be more transparent about how money is spent. She has not ruled out another bid next year. “I might, we’ll see what happens.”
The Board of Health has a new member in Alexandra Nicolosi, who ran unopposed.
Several incumbents who ran for re-election unopposed were successful, including Library Trustees Bill Osiers and Elizabeth Sylvia, Town Moderator Lizanne Capper Campbell, Water/Sewer Commissioner Albert Meninno Jr., Highway Surveyor Garrett Bauer, Planning Board member Tom Tucker, Chuck McCullough of the Housing Authority and James Andrew Pierson and Susan Wilbur of the Community Preservation Committee.
The lone question on the ballot, asking voters if they support a capital request from the Old Rochester Regional School District for facility upgrades, was approved by an 808-647 margin with 412 ballots left blank.
Mattapoisett Town Election
By Marilou Newell