LYNNFIELD — Confusion regarding nomination papers for election to the School Committee arose last week after a mistake with the town clerk’s office resulted in papers being offered to current Lynnfield School Committee member Jenny Sheehan before the Jan. 2 availability date.
Town Administrator Rob Dolan explained to The Daily Item on Monday that his office is aware of what happened and has determined that what occurred had taken place with no ill intent. Town Clerk Amanda Haggstrom acknowledged it as a mistake.
“It was done with the best intent, but it was a mistake by the clerk,” Dolan said. “There seems to be no advantage or anything like that. It was all good intentions, but it did happen. Obviously, Amanda acknowledged that and said she’d never do it again. People make mistakes, and I think it’s important to acknowledge it and we move forward.”
Sheehan agreed with this characterization in her comments over what happened. She said she didn’t go to the town clerk with any intention to pick up the papers. Instead, she went to town hall to drop off end-of-the-year reporting and fill out preliminary forms for nomination papers.
Haggstrom then offered the papers to Sheehan since the town clerk’s office was closing for New Year’s Eve and had them ready for prospective candidates.
Former Lynnfield School Committee Member Chris Barrett emphasized the importance of following guidelines to maintain fairness and trust for town offices.
“It’s important for elected officials, public servants, to adhere to the rules and deadlines—all of us, in the process,” Barrett said. “This is the first that I’ve heard in the town of Lynnfield that a candidate was able to get papers prior to the date. I did not know it was a possibility.”
He further described the process of announcing candidacy when these papers are pulled and the problems that could arise from not following guidelines in creating an unfair environment for other candidates who are looking to run.
“I know we’re eager to run and I appreciate that,” Barrett said. “But I think it’s important that all voices are heard and that all voices have that opportunity to run in the correct way. I think a fair process will allow us to have candidates that will be able to discuss the very challenging month ahead that we will have on the budget.”
But despite the town clerk’s gaffe in timing, Sheehan believes she did not create an unfair environment when she pulled papers before Jan. 2. It was, she said, an action she didn’t go into the clerk’s office intending to do.
“There was no rule breaking,” Sheehan said. “There is no bylaw that says she can’t do that. She offered them to me out of convenience because I was there. Upon being offered I said, ‘sure why not.’ Again, at that time, Dick Dalton, who is running for re-election for Select Board, had already announced he was pulling papers or had pulled papers. Anyone can announce it at any time.”
For now, Sheehan and the School Committee must move on from the conversation as they prepare for an important meeting tonight that will include a summative review and touch on the superintendent’s goals at the midpoint of the school year.
