Voters at May 11 Mashpee election will be asked to OK two Prop 2 1/2 overrides

Mashpee voters go the polls on May 11, featuring two contested races for School Committee and Planning Board and requests to approve two Proposition 2 1/2 overrides that will pay for the second phase of the town's sewerage plans and designing a new police station.

Precincts 1 & 2 will vote at the Senior Center. Precincts 3 & 4 at Town Hall and precinct 5 at the Mashpee Public Library, according to the town's website.

Four candidates vie for two School Committee seats

Four candidates are vying for two School Committee seats, according to a town specimen ballot, including Kelly Robson, Christopher Santos, Sr., Michael Valois, and Brian Weeden.

Robson, 46, said she's running for School Committee because she believes change is needed.

"I want to be part of the solution. I'm a problem solver, multi-tasker, and an active community member and parent," said Robson, who was a den leader for Mashpee Pack 36 Cub Scouts.

Robson has lived in Mashpee for 12 years and said she wants to serve to bring student voices and concerns to the table.

"I don't agree with the way School Committee is working right now — the committee isn't doing 100% of what should be done," said Robson, who has one child in the Mashpee school system. "If we all work together, I think we can change things. But we need the right people in place to listen and to perform."

Santos, 45, served on the School Committee from 2014 to 2020. Since he left, he said there have been changes in the district and hiring inconsistencies. With his experience, he said, he wants to throw his "hat back in the ring."

"Potentially, I could help by using what I learned in my time on the committee," said Santos, who has one child in the Mashpee school system, and two children who graduated from Mashpee schools. "I want to help propel Mashpee into a better state than we are today."

Transparency is key for School Committee members, said Valois, 51.

"I’m here to listen. I want to talk to people," said Valois, who has three children enrolled in Mashpee schools.

If elected, Valois wants to improve technology to help students learn efficiently; outline a budget that puts students' academic success above all else; hold students accountable for using and dealing vapes in school; and teach children the value and importance of respect.

A former member of the Coast Guard, Valois said he has a lot to offer the School Committee, as well as students, teachers, and staff.

"Public service is what I do," said Valois, who has lived in Mashpee since 2000. "The community deserves for me to try to improve things. I want to encourage respect, collaboration, and priorities."

Weeden, 31, is the current School Committee vice chair and was born and raised in Mashpee. He is re-running for School Committee because he loves his community, he said.

"I am proud to be a product of the Mashpee school system," said Weeden, who is also the chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.

After graduating from Mashpee Middle-High School in 2011, Weeden has represented Mashpee on a national level with organizations such as United National Indian Tribal Youth; and National Congress of American Indians. Those experiences, he said, brought value from a historical and cultural perspective, which he hopes to share with Mashpee.

"My entire life has been spent on youth development and empowerment, I truly value the voices of our children and work to engage and consider them in all the decisions I make," he said. "As an incumbent, I also bring experience to the position."

Planning Board will fill two seats

Mashpee residents will also vote for two seats on the Planning Board, with three candidates running.

Mary Waygan and Dennis Balzarini are running for re-election with newcomer Stacey Ducharme in the mix.

Two ballot questions will also be raised during elections

The first ballot question asks voters to approve a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion for $96.1 million to pay for Phase 2 of the town’s comprehensive nitrogen and wastewater management, treatment and disposal improvement plans, including expansion of the water resource recovery facility adjacent to the town’s solid waste transfer station. Voters at annual town meeting earlier this week approved the spending package.

Ballot question 2 asks voters to approve a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion to pay for $2.7 million for designs and engineering for a new police station and $80,000 to restore a masonry wall at the Department of Public Works. Voters at annual town meeting gave their blessing to the spending this week.

Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Mashpee will be asked to approve override for sewer project