PEABODY -– House Bill 4528, An Act relative to voting precinct 3 of Ward 4 in the city of Peabody, recently passed by the House and Senate, was signed by Gov. Charlie Baker, preserving Brooksby Village as a polling place.
The legislation was originally initiated by state Rep. Thomas P. Walsh (D-Peabody), Rep. Sally P. Kerans (D-Danvers), and Sen. Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem).
Walsh said that following the Census, every 10 years cities and towns must reconfigure their wards and precincts, triggering the need for special legislation to maintain the sub-precinct at Brooksby, a continuing care community facility that is home to 1,800 senior citizens.
“With each decennial Census, we must legislatively approve Ward 4, Precinct 3-A,” said Walsh. “Working with local officials, Sen. Lovely and Rep. Kerans and Councilor Julie Daigle and City Clerk Allyson Danforth, we were successful in once again establishing this sub-precinct which will ensure safety and security for all in the Brooksby community who choose to participate in the election process,” he said.
“Voting is fundamental to our democratic process and it’s imperative that residents have access to this constitutional right,” said Lovely. “I am proud to work alongside Representative Tom Walsh to make Brooksby Village a polling location for our seniors so they can easily access the polls and vote close to home.”
Initially established by Chapter 78 of the Acts of 2005, the voting sub-precinct has served Brooksby Village for more than fifteen years. Most recently, the Brooksby Village sub-precinct was reauthorized in February 2012.
The city has been addressing resident’s concerns about the safety of Route 114, specifically its left-turn-only middle lane. Brooksby is located on a portion of the roadway that has seen multiple traffic accidents in recent years resulting in serious injuries and, in some cases, fatalities.
Walsh said maintaining the sub-precinct location is important for Brooksby residents.
“This voting sub-precinct at Brooksby Village is an important convenience and safety measure for the residents who live here,” said Walsh. “Route 114 is currently undergoing a state road safety audit and allowing residents to remain in their community to vote alleviates the hassle of traveling on Route 114, which is oftentimes busy during voting hours,” he said.
Anne Marie Tobin can be reached at [email protected].
