Leyden votes to change Board of Assessors seats to appointed positions

Marie Lovley has her vote tallied at the Leyden Town Offices by Carolyn Asbury, rear, and Karin Parks on Tuesday. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ
Published: 06-04-2025 11:58 AM |
LEYDEN — While there were no contested races on the ballot, voters at Tuesday’s town election opted to change the seats on the Board of Assessors from elected positions to appointed ones.
Voter turnout was 8.19%, as 51 of the town’s 623 registered voters went to the polls at the Town Offices. The ballot question passed, 31-17.
Town Coordinator Michele Giarusso said the Selectboard will appoint future assessors, according to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 41, Section 25.
The vote to change an elected position to an appointed one follows a continuing trend in Franklin County, where small communities, like Leyden, are opting to turn jobs into appointed roles because the positions are becoming more technically and legally demanding each year. In 2024, Gill Town Meeting voters changed their treasurer and tax collector positions into appointed roles to widen their pool of candidates. Wendell voters are considering a similar measure for their tree warden position at Wednesday’s Annual Town Meeting.
The election results are as follows:
■Board of Assessors, three-year term — Erik Johnson, 41 votes.
■Board of Health, three-year term — Devorah Vester, 47 votes.
■Board of Health, one-year term — Elizabeth Kuzdeba, 38 votes.
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■Constable, three-year term — Vanessa Russell, 45 votes.
■Robertson Memorial Library trustee, three-year term — Patricia Little, 47 votes.
■Moderator, one-year term — John Golden, 50 votes.
■Planning Board, five-year term — James Brodeur, 45 votes.
■Selectboard, three-year term — Katherine DiMatteo, 48 votes.
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.