Blackstone Town Clerk Race: Lori Poirier vs. Tara Sullivan
As Blackstone voters prepare to choose their next Town Clerk, two candidates are on the ballot: Lori Poirier and Tara Sullivan. Both bring experience in town governance and have outlined their visions for the role. Below is a factual comparison to help residents make an informed decision.
Lori Poirier: A New Voice for Efficiency and Transparency
Background and Experience
- Extensive administrative, legal, and organizational expertise, including work as a corporate, litigation, and real estate paralegal.
- Active community leader with roles in the Housing Authority, Zoning Board, Garden Club, and town cleanup efforts.
- Advocate for government efficiency, transparency, and modernization.
Key Accomplishments
- Vice Chair, Zoning Board – Ensured continuity in town planning after previous members resigned.
- Vice Chair, Housing Authority – Took action to prevent board collapse, protecting affordable housing programs.
- Secured Roosevelt Park Donation – Assisted in obtaining resources to improve community green spaces.
- Dedicated Fundraiser – Supported Blackstone Parks & Recreation through the Friends group.
- Community Volunteer – Participated in town cleanups, Memorial Day celebrations, and recreational initiatives.
Priorities if Elected
- Fair & Accountable Pay – Accept an hourly wage for actual work performed, rather than a full-time salary for part-time hours, saving taxpayer money.
- Streamline Voting Precincts – Reduce costs and improve accessibility by consolidating precincts.
- Modernize Town Clerk Processes – Implement digital services to reduce paperwork, unnecessary printing, and inefficiencies.
- Improve Communication – Guarantee clear notifications of resignations and applications to prevent governance disruptions.
- Enhance Election Transparency – Ensure regular updates on election-related information for public awareness.
- Meet State Deadlines – Avoid delays that impact state representation and committee nominations.
Tara Sullivan: Experienced Leadership in Town Clerk’s Office
Background and Experience
- Six years as Blackstone Town Clerk, managing elections, records, and municipal services.
- Extensive experience conducting town meetings and overseeing legal compliance in town governance.
- Strong advocate for modernization, accessibility, and community engagement.
Key Accomplishments
- Oversaw 13 Elections, 12 Special Town Meetings, and 6 Annual Town Meetings – Ensured smooth election processes, including stepping in as a moderator when needed.
- Navigated COVID-19 Election Challenges – Implemented safety measures and adapted to vote-by-mail and early voting laws.
- Successfully Completed a Post-Election Audit in 2024 – Ensured election integrity with accurate results.
- Implemented Electronic Voting at Town Meetings – Increased efficiency and transparency in town decision-making.
- Community Engagement – Organized local events, including the annual Town Hall Halloween Party.
Key Considerations
- State Ethics Commission Violation – In January 2024, Sullivan was fined $5,000 for violating conflict of interest laws by hiring family members as election workers.
- Continued Focus on Modernization – Plans to build on digital advancements and accessibility improvements for town services.
As the race for Blackstone’s Town Clerk continues, key discussions have emerged regarding election logistics, transparency in record-keeping, and the tone of the campaign.
Polling Location Concerns
One issue raised during the campaign involves the town’s polling locations. Poirier brought up streamlining voting precincts – but as noted by Selectman Daniel Keefe on social media, Blackstone has three precincts and two polling locations. Precincts 1 and 3 vote at 15 St. Paul St. (Town Hall), while Precinct 2 votes at 666 Rathbun St. (Station 2). The decision to maintain Precinct 2 as a separate location is to ensure accessibility for residents in the Millerville section of town. Under Massachusetts General Laws (MGL c54 s24), the authority to consolidate polling locations falls under the Board of Selectmen, not the Town Clerk.
Some residents have also voiced concerns about long wait times and the inconvenience of traveling across town to vote. Others have questioned whether the town could explore alternative locations, such as school gyms, as some other municipalities have done. While no changes have been decided, the discussion has opened a broader conversation about the feasibility of adjustments to polling locations in the future.
Record-Keeping and Public Access to Minutes
Transparency in town government has also been a focal point of the election. Several residents have expressed frustration over difficulties accessing meeting minutes online. This concern was originally addressed during the September 24, 2024, Board of Selectmen meeting, where officials acknowledged complaints about missing or improperly scanned documents. The discussion included recommendations for the Town Clerk’s office to improve the accuracy and accessibility of records, particularly for special and annual town meetings. However, since that meeting, no official resolution or policy change has been implemented.
Campaign Rhetoric and Public Perception
On social media, some residents have commented on the tone of the campaign. Critics of Lori Poirier have argued that her statements come across as personal attacks against incumbent Tara Sullivan. Meanwhile, Sullivan has not publicly responded to or rejected these remarks. The exchanges have fueled discussions online, with some calling for a more constructive dialogue.
As the election approaches, residents will have the opportunity to weigh these issues and decide who will best serve the town’s needs in the role of Town Clerk.
Final Thoughts
The Blackstone Town Clerk race presents voters with a choice between an experienced incumbent focused on modernization and election management and a challenger advocating for transparency, efficiency, and reform. Both candidates bring strong qualifications and community involvement to the table, and voters will decide which vision best serves Blackstone’s future.
