Neighborhood Council Election Set Saturday

Eight local residents are running for seven at-large seats on the Charlestown Neighborhood Council in this Saturday’s election.

All Charlestown residents ages 18 and up are eligible to vote in the council election and can cast their ballots between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Knights of Columbus hall, 545 Medford St.

The at-large candidates include seven incumbents—Barbara Babin, Peg Bradley, Paul Clausen, Tom Cunha, Ed Grace, Mark Rosenshein and Erin Sullivan—and one new candidate, Amanda Reinfeld.

Elections for the CNC are staggered, with seven of the 21 seats up each year. Seven of the seats are held by a representative from each precinct in Charlestown, seven are held by representatives from Charlestown’s nonprofit organizations—such as the Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Navy Yard and Charlestown Preservation Society—and seven are filled “at large” by any eligible Charlestown resident.

To vote on Saturday, Charlestown residents must check in with their address, which will be verified using the annual Boston residents listing, according to CNC vice chairman David Whelan.

“Anyone who is not in the book will need to show us some form of identification [such as a driver’s license], which indicates they are a Charlestown resident,” Whelan said.

Results from Saturday’s election will be posted on Charlestown Patch, and via other local media.

The CNC serves as an advisory group for Boston City Council, representing the Charlestown neighborhood. The council features several subcommittees including Development, Basic Services, Transportation, Mitigation, Public Safety, Bylaws and Election, as well as other ad hoc committees as needed.

CNC meetings, which are open to the public, are held on the first Tuesday of every month, except in July and August. Meetings typically begin at 7 p.m. and are held at the Knights of Columbus hall. 

Subcommittee meetings are also public and are advertised via local media.

Individuals who would like to make a presentation to the CNC should contact the council chairman or vice chairman (currently Tom Cunha and Whelan) to get on the agenda.

Residents also may address the council once the floor is opened at any monthly meeting, Whelan said.

Additional information about the CNC can be found online at charlestownbusiness.com/cnc.

Interested in running next year? Information here.

Candidates in this year's CNC election are encouraged to submit a press release containing information about themselves and why they are running for the council to becca.manning@patch.com. All items will be posted by Friday, Nov. 16 at 9 p.m.