Flanagan loses bid for re-election

Friday, March 15, 2013

Enlarge

BROOKLINE – After serving on the Board of Selectmen for more than three years, Jack Flanagan lost his bid for re-election at the March 12 elections.

Jack Flanagan garnered 173 votes, Susan Adams received 306 votes, while Brendan Denehy won the second open seat with 310 votes.

Flanagan has served the town for 20 years in several capacities, including the Finance Committee, Brookline School Board and the Hollis Brookline Cooperative District School Board.

Flanagan, who is also currently serving as state representative for Brookline and Mason, said he’s not sure what the future will hold or whether he will run for a Brookline official position again.

At the March 13 Town Meeting, town officials bid Clarence Farwell and Flanagan farewell, and some 80 voters held a standing ovation for both public servants. Farwell is stepping down as selectmen chairman.

“Hopefully, I’ve left the town – Clarence, I know, has left the town in a better place. That’s all you can really do,” Flanagan said. “And I have no problem sleeping at night. I just know that I’ve got no regrets on what I’ve done and with my service.”

Town Administrator Tad Putney, a former selectman, applauded Flanagan’s efforts on behalf of the town.

“I think the fact is all you need to do is look at the various places and boards he has served on over the years,” he said. “I think that is something that is noteworthy. I think we as a town, like many towns these days, are challenged with finding people to run for public office.”

Adams, 50, has lived in town for six years and said she strongly believes she embodies the values needed to serve as a strong selectman.

“I have the experience and energy to serve the people of Brookline,” she wrote in a survey. “... (My) efforts will be focused on preserving the special qualities of our small town, while preparing us for the challenges of the future.”

Denehy, 52, has lived in town for 11 years and said he ran to ensure the community would thrive.

“Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to get more involved in our town, and have actively watched and the attended the selectmen’s meetings,” he wrote in the Journal survey, “so I have a good idea of what will be required of me if elected.”

Additionally, in uncontested races, incumbent Peter Cook was re-elected to the Board of Assessors for a three-year term with 372 votes. Incumbent Robert Rochford was elected to the town treasurer position with 351 votes for a one-year term. Incumbent

Gerald Farwell took the position of road agent with 330 votes for a one year term and David Flannery was elected to a three-year seat as fire ward with 346 votes. Both incumbent candidates for library trustee, John Lindgren and Edward Cook, were re-elected to the two available positions, each for three years. Lindgren had 321 votes and Cook took 299.

For three positions on the Finance Committee, only two people ran – Brian Rater and incumbent Linda Chomiak. Rater had 322 votes and Chomiak had 308.

Brookline School District

Peter Webb ran uncontested for moderator and was elected to a one-year term with 413 votes.

Robert Rochford also ran unopposed for the treasurer seat, a one-year term, and took 369 votes. Ernie Pistor was elected to a three-year position with the school board with 358 votes.

Hollis/Brookline
Cooperative District

All races were uncontested. Incumbent James Murphy was re-elected as moderator for a three-year term.

James Solinas was elected to a Budget Committee Brookline representative seat for three years, with 364 votes cast, and Gina Bergskaug was elected to the Cooperative School Board as a Brookline representative for three years with 354 votes cast.

Berskaug, 36, has lived in town for nine years and said she is passionate about improving the quality of education in the Hollis/Brookline Co-op.

Samantha Allen can be reached at 594-6426 or sallen@nashuatelegraph.com. Also follow Allen on Twitter (@Telegraph_SamA).