Tewksbury Election: Katlynn Bugda Gwilt Wins For Board Of Health

TEWKSBURY, MA — Some of the fun Saturday night at the Tewksbury MVP Family Fun Center was being had by Katlynn Bugda Gwilt and her supporters, who were there celebrating Bugda Gwilt's victory in the race for the Tewksbury Board of Health.

According to the unofficial results of Saturday's Annual Town Election, Bugda Gwilt received 564 votes, while her opponent George Ferdinand received 208 votes.

A total of 795 votes were cast in the election, which is just 3.3 percent of the 23,891 registered voters.

Bugda Gwilt, a research fellow at Boston Children's Hospital, will be a first-timer on the five-person board —Ferdinand had served from 2016-19. Bugda Gwilt takes the seat vacated by Charles Roux, who is not seeking re-election.

"I'm deeply humbled by the amazing turnout and overwhelming support from everyone that made it to the polls," Bugda Gwilt wrote to her supporters on Facebook. "I want to thank each and every person who made it to the polls today, each and every person that texted and called their friends to remind them to vote, and my amazing team that taught me how to run a campaign and supported me along the way. I want to thank my opponent Mr. Ferdinand for running a great campaign. I'm excited to get to work for our town."

One of Bugda Gwilt's most vocal supporters was her husband Eliot Bugda, who circulated a letter of support for his wife a week before the election.

"As a member of the Board of Health, my wife would bring a fresh perspective to the challenges facing our community. Katlynn's formal education combined with her passion for public health and education makes her the ideal candidate for this position," Eliot Bugda wrote.

Bugda continued: "I have long admired (Katlynn's) focus and determination, accountability and transparency, and compassion and empathy. I can't wait to have the larger community benefit in the same ways I have benefited over the years."

The Board of Health race was the only contested race on the ballot.

Patrick Holland, running unopposed, received 641 votes for the Select Board, where he will fill the seat vacated by Jay Kelly.

Kaitlynn Anderson, running unopposed, received 669 votes for School Committee. She will take the seat that is open due to Keith Sullivan's expiring term.

Jonathan Ciampa (639 votes) takes the three-year term on the Planning Board, while Nicholas James Lizotte (598 votes) takes the two-year unexpired term on the Planning Board. Both Ciampa and Lizotte ran unopposed.

Additionally, Jessica Rauseo (647 votes) joins the Board of Library Trustees, Ryan Lloyd (640 votes) won for Housing Authority and incumbent Dustin Weir (672 votes) returns as Moderator. Rauseo, Lloyd and Weir all ran unopposed.

The winning candidates will be sworn in during a 6 p.m. Monday ceremony at Town Hall, 1009 Main St.