Meet the Candidates

2025 KYT Annual Candidates’ Night:
Candidates for Town and Fire/Water District Elections
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 6:30pm
South Hadley Public Library Community Room
2 Canal Street, South Hadley

Know Your Town’s local Candidates’ Night 2025 will be held in person at the South Hadley Public Library. Candidates on the ballot for town-wide offices and Fire/Water District offices have been invited to participate. Candidates for Town Election and District Elections have also been invited to submit information about themselves to share on our website. Write-in candidates will be offered an opportunity to introduce themselves at the start of the program and leave materials for voters at our information table. The forum may also be viewed live on local Channel 15 or at https://shctv15.com/watch-live and is also recorded for later viewing. (Now available online at: https://vimeo.com/1067356250)

Know Your Town (KYT) is a local, nonpartisan organization that works to inform residents about local affairs. For information about participating in candidate events or to be added to our email list, email Martha Terry at: mterry@knowyourtown.org.

ELECTION DAY:

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CANDIDATE STATEMENTS
Offices and candidates are listed below in the order of appearance on the ballot. KYT invites candidates on the ballot for town-wide offices in the Town election and for offices in the District 1 and 2 elections to submit information about themselves for this page to help voters learn more about those who seek to represent us. This page is updated as information is available, and statements are added as they come in. To submit information, email Martha Terry at: mterry@knowyourtown.org.

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On the 2025 Annual Town Election Ballot

NOTE: If you choose to write in the name of a candidate on your ballot, be sure to also fill in the oval ‘bubble’ on the write-in line.

SELECTBOARD | Vote for One (3-Year Term)

  • Renee Sweeney
    Candidate for re-election to the Selectboard

SCHOOL COMMITTEE  | Vote for One (3-Year Term)

  • Eric Friesner
    Candidate for re-election to the School Committee

SCHOOL COMMITTEE  | Vote for One (1-Year Term)

  • Jackson Matos
    Candidate for School Committee

BOARD OF HEALTH  | Vote for Two (3-Year Terms)

  • Stephen Frantz
    Candidate for re-election to the Board of Health
    I have been a member of the BOH for the past three years and am running for another three-year term. I received my PhD in Pathobiology from The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, and have been active in the field for more than 40 years. My main research interests have been environmental public health; pesticide toxicology; integrated pest management; protection and promotion of pollinators and their habitat.

    During the past three years on the Board of Health, I have participated in many meetings to discuss and resolve issues regarding drugs, firearms, building closures, the pandemic, pesticides, PFAS, and more. I led the successful adoption of a ban on applications of glyphosate and glufosinate on Town-owned & Town-operated property. I initiated the Non-Binding Resolution for the Protection of Pollinator Species and Enhancement of Pollinator Habitat, and I have worked with others to protect the District 2 water supply. Currently, I am preparing draft bills and by-laws on application restrictions for fertilizers containing biosolids due to PFAS contamination; and banning second generation anticoagulant rodenticides that are inadvertently killing wildlife.

    Through my many years of research, I have learned that so much of what negatively affects public health is directly related to environment – including food, water, air and soil resources, and these public health concepts clearly intersect with our energy sources and the climate crisis, and how we might sustain our existence for a livable planet now and for future generations. Everything really is connected to everything, and this is a view of public health that I think is critically necessary, and will continue to pursue as a BOH member.

  • Charles Scott
    Candidate for Board of Health

MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD | Vote for Two (3-Year Terms)

  • Paul Dobosh
    Candidate for re-election to the Municipal Light Board
    I am a retired professor from Mount Holyoke College, a town resident since 1971, and a town meeting member.

    Serving on the SHELD board Has been a real joy. SHELD is a well-run organization that is accomplishing major projects (fiber optic network, smart electric meters), enhancing system security (new grid and fiber optic redundant connections), maintaining a remarkable record on service reliability (fast response and minimal outage times), and planning for the future (a new home for SHELD and a battery system to shave peak demand), all while keeping rates low.

    I have enjoyed learning the ins and outs of delivering electric and internet service and participating in consequential decisions. I am eager to continue.

    I would like to use a few of my remaining words to encourage some of you to think about running for the SHELD board in the future. It is one of the most interesting positions in South Hadley.

  • No candidate on the ballot for the second Municipal Light Board seat

MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD | Vote for One (2-Year Term)

  • Thomas Terry
    Candidate for re-election to the Municipal Light Board

HOUSING AUTHORITY  | Vote for One (5-Year Term)

  • No candidate on the ballot for the open Housing Authority seat

BOARD OF ASSESSORS  | Vote for One (3-Year Term)

  • Thomas Reidy
    Candidate for re-election to the Board of Assessors

TRUSTEE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY | Vote for Three (3-Year Terms)

  • Gail Scanlon, Candidate for re-election as a Library Trustee
    Many thanks to Know Your Town for giving me the opportunity to (re)introduce myself to the community as a candidate for the Free Public Library Board of Trustees. As a third-generation resident of South Hadley, my family and I have a long history of supporting the Library. From 1989-2010 I served as an elected member of the Library Board of Trustees, in addition to serving as a member of the Library Design Study Committee from 2009-2011. More recently I was elected in 2023 as a write-in candidate to fill a vacant slot on the Library Board of Trustees.

    As a professional librarian I have worked in many roles within libraries, including serving as a director in both an academic library and an independent college-preparatory school library. In addition, I served two terms on the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners’ State Advisory Council on Libraries. Sharing my experiences, I have given presentations at regional and national conferences on trends in libraries, technology integration and managing digital collections. Furthermore, I have consulted on numerous library building and renovation projects, including serving as a juror for the American Institute of Architects (AIA)/American Library Association (ALA) Library Building Awards.

    If re-elected as a Library Trustee I intend to continue to support the Library Director in his role; regularly review library  policies and procedures; advocate for our budget; and defend the right to privacy and the freedom of access to materials and programs that meet the informational and recreational needs of our community. Thank you.

  • Jennifer Couturier, Candidate for Library Trustee
    Libraries have always been important to me. As a child, I moved often, and the first stop my mom always made was the local library. There, we found book groups, community information, and, of course, books. Later, I worked at the East Longmeadow Library Children’s Department, running story times and book groups, which led to a career in writing workshops for kids and working in schools. We moved to South Hadley in 2018 and have greatly enjoyed getting involved in the community.  I have volunteered at the South Hadley Family Center, Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Pantry, and various recreation programs including the summer trail runs for kids.
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    Now, as a parent and educator, I turn to the library for its programs and vast collection. These experiences have taught me that the library is a vital, welcoming resource for everyone. I believe libraries should offer books that act as both mirrors and windows—mirrors to help us understand ourselves and windows to help us understand others. Books, especially for children and youth, are powerful tools for teaching empathy and critical thinking by allowing us to step into the lives of others.
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    I’m excited for the opportunity to advocate for and serve a library that plays such a crucial role in our community.
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  • Kelly Ryan Woods, Candidate for Library Trustee
    Since moving to South Hadley almost 20 years ago, I have admired the unique and important role that our Libraries play as a resource to people of all ages and backgrounds. Over the years I have personally accessed diverse resources and participated in programming designed to serve a wide range of populations and community needs – for example early childhood story times, guest reader programs, inter-library loans to support research for school and work, summer reading, and more recently, teen programming and community information sessions on a wide range of topics.

    In addition, as a member of other community committees and organizations in the past I have collaborated with Library staff to offer/ participate in programming, communicate and promote accessible resources, and connect members of the community with resources and each other.My professional background includes elements of strategic planning, event and program design/ management, fund development, volunteer management, and outreach communications that I hope will also be helpful.

    As an avid library user and active proponent of our South Hadley Public Library, I would be honored to support this important community resource as a Library Trustee.

PLANNING BOARD  | Vote for One (3-Year Term)

  • Robert Szklarz, Candidate for Planning Board


TOWN MEETING MEMBERS
Each of South Hadley’s five precincts has eight Town Meeting seats with 3-Year Terms on the Town Election ballot; in some precincts there may also partial terms on the ballot to be filled. There are separate ballots for Precincts A, B, C, D, and E. Sample ballots listing Town Meeting candidates can be viewed at: www.southhadley.org/1088/Sample-Ballots.

  • Steven Segore, Precinct D-Candidate for Town Meeting (3-year term)

    My name is Steven Segore and I am running for Town Meeting Representative for Precinct ¨D.¨ I have lived in town for two years and been with the South Hadley Democratic Town Committee for just over a year. I acted on running for Town Meeting based on Kamala Harris´s encouragement during her Presidential run to just, ¨Do Something!¨.
    While I do hold a Master’s degree in Public Administration, I always saw my role as a public servant and a unionized worker, and I worked for more than 32 years as a data analyst and statistical programmer. Most of those years were spent working for the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. I got to see firsthand the people with ID/DD diagnoses as viable, loving beings, not numbers at the end of dollar signs.  I know that Town Meeting activities often involve budget examination. While that would be a first for me outside of my academic training, I believe I would pick this up very quickly.
    I look forward to serving the people of South Hadley and in Precinct D, many of whom have welcomed me as neighbor, committee member, and friend, by attempting to balance peoples´ needs with a keen eye toward fiscal responsibility, too,

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On the 2025 District 1 Election Ballot

MODERATOR | Vote for One (3-Year Term)

  • John Hine, Candidate for District 1 Moderator

PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE | Vote for One (3-Year Term)

  • Bruce Perron, Candidate for re-election to District 1 Prudential Committee
    (no statement)
  • Steve Blaney, Candidate for District 1 Prudential Committee
    Hello residents of South Hadley Fire District 1! My name is Steve Blaney and I am a candidate for Fire District 1 Prudential Committee. I grew up on Carew Street, the 7th of 8 kids (David, Cheryl, Dan, Marian, Kathy, Bob, Anne). My parents (Edward and Yvette) started Falls Driving School in 1963 and my brother Bob and his wife Chris run that business to this day. I now live on River Road and am married to my wife, Lisa. We have 3 daughters, Olivia, Alexa and Emma.

    Since 1982,I have coached several teams in town. My longest continuous run was with my daughters’ teams from 2006-2016. I am currently very involved with volunteer work at Neighbors Helping Neighbors food pantry and with the Connecticut River Conservation, where I participate in river Cleanup Days as well as assisting with annual water chestnut removal work from the cove. Community service has been part of my life for a long time.

    My next venture will hopefully be as a Prudential Committee member for Fire District 1. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read this bio and I want to thank KYT for providing this forum. I hope that you will consider and vote for me for Prudential Committee.

WATER COMMISSIONER | Vote for One (1-Year Term)

  • William Schenker, Candidate for re-election to District 1 Water Commissioner

WATER COMMISSIONER | Vote for One (3-Year Term)

  • Charles Scott, Candidate for District 1 Water Commissioner
    (no statement)
  • Michael Wozniak, Candidate for District 1 Water Commissioner
    My name is Michael J. Wozniak and I am running for District 1 Water Commissioner. First and foremost, I believe in public service and making a difference in my community. I have served the Town of South Hadley in various capacities over the years as Town Meeting member (2014-Present), Prudential Committee Chairman & Clerk for Fire District 1, Golf Commissioner, past chairman of the By-law Review Committee and a past member of the GRO South Hadley Community Garden.

    I hold a BSBA Degree in Management, an MBA, and a Certificate of Advanced and Graduate Studies in Educational Administration. During my career, I was a high school business teacher, an adjunct professor at Western New England College, AIC, and STCC. I have held various management positions in local manufacturing companies including Manufacturing Systems Manager, Production & Inventory Control Manager, Corporate Production Planning Manager, Materials Manager, Director of Management Information Systems, and Senior Management Consultant.Other community activities include serving as Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster for Troop 131 in Chicopee and also served as President of the Western Mass. Chapter of the American Production & Inventory Control Society.

    I proudly served my country in the U.S. Navy and am a decorated Vietnam Veteran having received the following medals: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service medal, Vietnam Campaign medal, Navy Good Conduct medal, Navy Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

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On the 2025 District 2 Election Ballot

PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE | Vote for One (3-Year Term)

  • Ken Leblanc, Candidate for re-election to District 2 Prudential Committee

WATER COMMISSIONER | Vote for One (3-Year Term)

  • Katherine Bedard, Candidate for re-election to District 2 Water Commissioner