ITEM FILE PHOTO
Lynn City Hall.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
LYNN — The City Council approved changes to the city’s polling places for the November presidential election.
City Clerk Mary Audley has spent months choosing the best locations for residents to vote.
Audley previously recommended changes for Ward 4, which voted at North Shore Community College. Ward 4 precincts 1 and 2 will now vote at KIPP Academy, at 90 High Rock St. Ward 4 precincts 3 and 4 will cast votes at the Lynn Museum & Historical Society.
The Ward 3 polling place was moved to the new Marshall Middle School on Brookline Street from Lynn English High School.
Tuesday night Audley recommended that no additional changes be made.
She met with Superintendent Catherine Latham on the changes, and recommended not to move any of the other locations, because the election is expected to be hectic.
“We can revisit this in January,” Audley said.
During an Ordinance and Rules Committee meeting, councilors discussed splitting the duties assigned to Audley into two positions, separating the election responsibilities from the city clerk’s duties.
“We all know that the election department is busier than in the past,” said Councilor Darren Cyr, who added that up until eight years ago, they were separate departments.
In addition to relieving some of the duties, the city is trying to increase interest in government. A second proposed ordinance would reduce the amount of signatures needed to run for office, Cyr said.
The discussion will be continued on June 28.
Several items, including a hearing on where medical marijuana dispensaries should be located in the city, were also postponed.
“Typically we have the full council of 11 members,” said Daniel Cahill, council president and state representative (D-Lynn). “With two members being out of state, and two having medical issues, any special permit requiring eight votes we will postpone until June 28.”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte
