By K.B. Sherman, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – Town Clerk Sandra Wright addressed the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen June 23 regarding the suitability of current precinct voting locations. Two of them are in private buildings, which has led to a concern that during a future election, they may not be open and available to the public for voting. Precinct 2 votes at the Gesang Verein Frohsinn Club, 25 N. Quinsigamond Ave., and Precinct 4 at the Scandinavian Athletic Club, 438 Lake St. Wright agreed with selectmen that the situation may have resulted in low voter turnout in these precincts in past elections.
Wright suggested that Precinct 2 be moved to Town Hall and Precinct 4 to the Fire Station #3, 20 Centech Blvd., now used by Precinct 9. As an alternative, Precinct 4 might be moved to the Sherwood Middle School, 28 Sherwood Ave.
Selectman James F. Kane noted that a voting place needs to be located close to that precinct’s voters, while Selectman Maurice M. DePalo noted that using schools for voting places is no longer practical.
Wright noted that there are no town elections scheduled for quite a while and thus the town has plenty of time to decide. Nonetheless, the board unanimously voted to move Precinct 2 to the Town Hall. The issue of moving Precinct 4 was left open for the time being.
Also addressing selectmen was Tom Blicharz of U.S. Synergetic, representing Verizon, regarding placement of cable pipelines. He had spoken to the board at a previous meeting and updated them about the placement of an underground conduit along Centech Boulevard to Fortune Boulevard. He noted that it was proceeding nicely, as was secondary pipe and wire laying for serving customers along the route. The board voted unanimously to favor the ongoing project.
In other business, the board voted to pay for the replacement of mailboxes hit by snowplows during the past winter, although the replacement boxes would be at a “minimum cost.”