NORTH ATTLEBORO — Two well-known town figures and one newcomer were elected to the school committee Tuesday in a sleepy race with few candidates for other town offices.
Keith Lapointe, a former Town Council president, led the five-person field for three school boards seats with 867 votes.
School committee member Tasha Buzzell was re-elected with 781 votes.
Newcomer Charles Peters captured the third and final seat with 684 votes.
High school senior Meaghan Lee came in forth, followed by Aaron Whirl.
Lapointe said the biggest topic in the campaign was the question of what to do with the high school. The town is considering building a new high school or renovating the existing one.
“Everyone knows a high school project is on the horizon and everyone cares about it,” he said.
He said the election results mean the town will continue to move forward.
Buzzell thanked the voters and praised her fellow candidates.
“I am beyond excited to work alongside Keith Lapointe, whom I have long admired for his integrity, intention, and ability to find common ground, and Charlie Peters, who brings fresh new energy, foresight, and an unquenchable thirst to learn everything he can about his new role,” she said.
“We all have three years of opportunities to make the best decisions possible for the children of North Attleboro, and I feel entirely confident that the town will see real progress made.”
Peters also said the high school was the number one topic voters talked to him about.
In his first experience in running for office, Peters said he was a little surprised he came in the top three.
He said despite Lee’s age, he said he thought she was coming on strong.
Despite coming in fifth, Whirl struck a positive note after the results were in.
He said the field of candidates was “stacked with great candidates” with a passion for the town.
“My take on this is no matter who won, North Attleboro couldn’t lose,” he said.
Whirl was the only candidate to favor restrictions on school library books and said he was proud his “conservative, Christian values” allowed to maintain his base of support from the last time he ran.
Lee was also upbeat about the election.
“Although the outcome may not be what we had hoped for, I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to share my vision with the residents of North Attleboro, and get to meet so many dedicated residents,” Lee said.
The election campaign was a quiet one and there was no town council race to draw the attention of voters.
Only 5.29% of the town’s 23,486 registered voters cast ballots.
Lapointe said turnout was actually higher than in past school committee races and he credited the hard campaign work of Lee and Peters for driving it.
Seats on various town boards other than school committee had no competition and there were no candidates for two spots.
They will have to be filled by write-in votes to be counted later. If that fails the town manager can appoint people to the boards.
In unopposed races, Craig Cameron and Kory Campbell were elected to the electric commission, Michael Thompson and John Donohue to the board of public works, and Mark Giansante to the park commission.