Westfield has mayoral, ward races

WESTFIELD - Forty-one percent of the city's electorate, or about 9,565 voters, are expected to cast ballots in today's city elections.

The election, with polling places open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. features contests for mayor, Ward 2 and Ward 5 city council, School Committee and Athenaeum trustee.

"It is difficult to project the number of voters who will vote in the election," said City Clerk Karen M. Fanion. "We had a 41 percent turnout in the last city election in 2007. I would expect (today's) election will draw at least that much interest."

The city has a total of 23,330 eligible voters.

Mayor Michael E. Boulanger, who is seeking his second consecutive term as mayor, is being challenged by Ward 2 City Councilor Daniel M. Knapik. Knapik has served on the council for the past eight years.

A lack of candidates for city council seats has left contests in only Ward 2, to replace Knapik, and in Ward 5, where incumbent Richard E. Onofrey Jr. faces a challenge from political newcomer David S. Pelletier, of 45 Plantation Circle.

Newcomers James E. Brown Jr., of 21 McKinley Terrace, and Cindy C. Harris, 45 South Broad St., are competing to succeed Knapik as Ward 2 city councilor.

The race for three seats on the School Committee includes incumbents Robert J. Kapinos and Laura Kaye Maloney. Other candidates are William F. Duval, 277 Sackett Road; Jeffrey L. Gosselin, 29 Union St.; Cynthia A. Sullivan, 21 Yankee Circle; and John J. Sullivan IV, of 32 Crescent Ridge Road. John Sullivan has told the Republican that because of a medical issue he is not actively campaigning for a school board seat.

Election to the School Committee carries a four-year term for each seat.

Frederick J. Harling, of 11 Heggie Drive, and Norman H. Smith III, of 48 Reservoir Road, are running for one seat on the Westfield Athenaeum Board of Trustees. That position represents a six-year term.