The Town of Wrentham held its Annual Town Election on Monday, April 7, with voters turning out to cast their ballots for key local positions. Despite rainy weather, the election saw a 19% voter turnout—the highest in recent memory for a local election—with 1,927 residents participating.  

This year’s election was marked by an unusual surge in write-in campaigns and, according to Wrentham Town Clerk Cynthia Thompson, a record 115 spoiled ballots, attributed to voter confusion over properly filling out write-in candidates’ names and addresses. 

The confusion was compounded by a last-minute partisan-style mailing—rare in Wrentham’s non-partisan elections—sent by the Wrentham Republican Town Committee (RTC) and a group called Wrentham Voters Against MBTA Zoning. While the RTC is registered and files with the state’s Office of Campaign and Political Finance, the other group is not registered. The mailer endorsed a slate of candidates under a “Stop MBTA Zoning” message, propelling several newcomers to victory.  

Key Results & Impact of the Mailer 

Select Board (2 seats): William D. Harrington (1,346 votes) and Roy C. Lamothe (1,156 votes) won. Lamothe, a newcomer, was among those backed by the RTC and the anti-MBTA zoning group.  

Planning Board (2 seats): Both winners were write-in candidates—Justin Fairbank Schlesinger (708 votes) and Joe Woodall (643 votes)—were promoted in the mailer. 

 School Committee (3-year term): Meaghan Drennen (914 votes), another endorsed candidate, defeated Dawn Doyle (884 votes).  

Other Races  

Board of Health: Margaret D. Settle (916 votes) defeated Michael J. White (610 votes).  

Fiske Public Library Trustee: Kristen Smith (1,366 votes) and Suzanne S. Bove (1,343 votes) won.  

Moderator: Edward J. Goddard (1,349 votes) was re-elected.  

Town Clerk: Ann V. Fisk (1,369 votes) secured the position.  

Wrentham Housing Authority: Write-in candidate Richard Mayhew (178 votes) won.  

The election’s outcome signals a shift in local politics, with groups influencing races traditionally decided by grassroots campaigning. Thompson thanked election workers and acknowledged the challenges posed by the high number of spoiled ballots.