The ballot is set for the Tuesday, May 4, Town Election, including competitive races for the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee.

School Committee

Four candidates will be running for two seats on the School Committee.

Geoff Swett, who has served on the committee for 12 years in the past, said that he decided to run in part because his responsibilities as chair of the School Building Committee would be coming to an end this fall, and because he had been asked to run by several people.

He also said that he hopes to be involved as the schools plan for a post-pandemic future, which he thinks will likely include more virtual education.

“No child should be treated like a cookie-cutter,” Swett said. 

Swett noted that while some children have struggled with remote and hybrid learning, others have thrived.

“Having all kids reach their potential means you have to think of them as individuals,” Swett said. “If some learn better remotely, we’ve got to accommodate that.”

Swett is the girls tennis coach at Wareham High. 

Brennan McKiernan, the father of an eighth grade student, said that he is a “proud townie” who wants to give back to the community. He graduated from Wareham schools, as did his father and grandparents.

“I think the biggest problem with our schools is simply a lack of support and a misunderstanding of all the good our schools have to offer,” McKiernan said, noting that the schools have “amazing” programs at all levels.

He also wants to foster more cooperation and teamwork.

“Wareham is an amazing community that always comes together in times of need,” McKiernan said. “By teaching our children from an early age the value of cooperation, we strengthen the community as those children take pride and ownership of the town.”

Ronald Besse currently serves on the Conservation Commission, a post he would keep even if elected to the School Committee. He plans to run for the Board of Selectmen in a future election, and is currently endorsing Slavin in that race.

Besse said he is choosing to focus on the School Committee for several reasons: He believes he could have a positive impact, and he is invested in Wareham schools for the long haul, thanks to his five children ranging in age from 5 months to 13 years old.

Among his focuses, if he is elected, would be working with special needs advocates to make sure that kids can get the help and resources they need to succeed. He also hopes to increase transparency.

Apryl Rossi has also pulled papers to run for reelection to the School Committee. Rossi was first elected in 2019.

Rossi said she plans to run again, and hopes to serve on the School Committee for as long as her son, a sophomore, is a student at Wareham High School.

“I love our town, I love our schools, and see so much potential among the great things we already have going for us,” said Rossi. “My hope is to continue to be a voice for the kids and the community and advocate to keep things moving forward and in a positive direction by addressing things head-on and transparently.”

Rossi is named as an individual defendant in a discrimination lawsuit brought by Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood against the School Committee and town.

Mike Flaherty’s seat is up, but he will not be running for reelection.

The two School Committee candidates who receive the most votes will be elected.

Board of Selectmen

Alan Slavin, who is up for reelection, has pulled papers to run again. 

He will be facing one challenger: Glenn Lawrence, a current member of the Finance Committee.

Slavin was first elected to the Board of Selectman in 2012. He is the Commission Chair of the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District, the District 4 Cape and Islands Representative for the Massachusetts Selectmen’s Association and a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. Slavin is also on the Executive Board of the Plymouth County Advisory Council and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Wareham Historical Society.

Asked why he is running again, Slavin said there are a number of large town projects that he has been working on for years and would like to see through, including bringing the commuter rail to Wareham, fixing up Merchants Way and building a new police station and community center. 

Over the years he has served as a selectman, Slavin said he has been able to build relationships with many legislative groups and advisory boards — and those connections can help Wareham. Slavin noted that he was able to get the installation of a traffic light at the Swifts Beach Road and Rte. 6 intersection — the site of many accidents and close calls — moved up several years on MassDOT’s calendar. He was also involved with the plans for the expansion of Cranberry Highway and worked with MassDOT officials to improve conditions after the contractors caused damages to businesses and cars.

Lawrence has said that he is motivated by a desire to give back to the town. He moved to Wareham in 2015 after he received a promotion to Senior Supply Chain Specialist for Hollingsworth & Vose, a global manufacturing firm. He is completing a master’s degree in public administration, has completed a master’s degree in government, and previously spent two decades working as a pastor and missionary.

Lawrence said that, while he is still narrowing down the issues that he would like to focus on, he thinks the most important challenge facing the town is financial in nature. The town needs to continue to provide services to the people who live here, he said, but costs are on the rise, and revenues “aren’t necessarily there.” He noted that what residents need, and the challenges facing a town, can change rapidly, as exemplified by the covid-19 pandemic.

Other boards and commissions

Sandy Slavin will be running for reelection for her seat as a Sewer User Commissioner. James Giberti will be running for reelection for his seat as a Non-Sewer User on the Commission.

Deputy Moderator Joseph Ashley has pulled papers for reelection to his position. As Deputy Moderator, Ashley has moderated Town Meeting votes on warrant articles from which Town Moderator Claire Smith has recused herself, and would serve in her stead if necessary.

Longtime Assessors Steven Curry and John Donahue are running for reelection.

The positions that are open are one three-year Selectmen’s seat, two three-year assessors positions, two three-year school committee positions, one three-year deputy moderator position, and two three-year seats as sewer commissioner: one user and one non-user.