Sleepy Start to Belmont's Town Election Day

Tom Flynn vividly remembers last November when nearly 100 people waited in line at Belmont's Precinct 2 polling location to vote.

The line of voters extended down the stairway and out the front door of Town Hall for the opportunity to cast their ballot for President and state offices. 

It took a while to vote then, said Flynn.

No problem this time around. 

Flynn of Dundonald Road was the first and only voter waiting at the doors of the Board of Selectmen's Room which was transformed into a polling station. 

"I'm just doing my civic duty," said the former Cambridge-resident who has lived in Belmont for the past 15 years.

It was a sleepy start to a relatively quiet Belmont Town Election, which, for the first time, is being held on the first Tuesday in April as opposed to the traditional first Monday.

There were just a few people holding signs for School Committee candidates which represents the only competitive town-wide race facing voters. Additionally, only three of the eight precincts – Precincts    – have more than 12 candidates for a dozen Town Meeting representative slots.

"I'm going to have go outside with a sandwich board to get voters in here," laughed Henry Zazarian, the long-time Precinct 2 Warden. 

Yet Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman believes that this Town Election is just as important to town residents as the national General Election was five months ago. 

"It's completely different for the Presidential election but no less important to all residents so I do encourage people to come out and vote," said Cushman who was wearing her "Vote" pin in honor of the day. 

There are several new candidates for both the town-wide and Town Meeting position and today allows voters to endorse those residents running for office, said Cushman.

"This is a very important day because the outcome has a very direct impact on your life whether it's taxes, storm water projects and if the town will have a snow shovel ordinance," said Cushman. 

"You are trusting them with so many things that effects your life so, please, go out and participate," said Cushman.