GREENFIELD — With the period for submitting nomination papers now closed, this year’s city election will have two certified candidates for mayor, eliminating the need for a September preliminary election to narrow the field.

Mayor Roxann Wedegartner and Precinct 3 City Councilor Virginia “Ginny” DeSorgher both announced their candidacies for mayor earlier this year. DeSorgher, 71, announced her candidacy in March and Wedegartner, 76, who took office in January 2020, announced in May that she planned to run for a second, four-year term.

Although residents Stephen F. Snyder and Kenneth J. Thomas had pulled nomination papers for mayor, neither returned their forms with the required number of voter signatures by the Tuesday, July 25, deadline. Emails seeking comment from Snyder and Thomas were not returned on Wednesday.

With only two candidates on the ballot, the requirements to hold a preliminary election, which had been planned for Sept. 12, have not been met, according to the City Clerk’s Office. The general election, therefore, will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 7, in the Greenfield High School gymnasium. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Per the charter, the City Clerk’s Office will schedule a drawing for ballot positions in advance.

In her May campaign announcement, Wedegartner highlighted her part in the “robust downtown redevelopment strategy,” as well as overseeing the new library and Fire Station projects, pushing to expand the Interstate 91 Industrial Park and prioritizing plans for the now-complete skate park.

“My plans for Greenfield continue to be laser-focused on a clear-eyed, ‘get stuff done’ approach,” she wrote in her campaign announcement.

Wedegartner added that there remains “unfinished business” she wants to make progress on, should she be elected to a second term.

“We haven’t really cracked the housing issue yet,” she said. “We’re making good strides, but there are still some issues both about what to do with unhoused people and how to assist them … and what the city’s role is.”

DeSorgher, as the first candidate to officially announce she was running for mayor, said she feels Greenfield is “at a turning point.”

“People want to live in a city that’s affordable and safe and fun,” she said in her campaign announcement. “I am committed to being a mayor for all of us, and bringing people together to solve problems and make sure Greenfield is that city we’re all proud of.”

DeSorgher has been particularly active over the past year in the conversation around the former Lunt Silversmiths property, where concerns have been raised about the status of the site’s environmental cleanup. She said she began considering a mayoral run in September 2022.

“Greenfield needs a mayor who will respect and listen to her constituents, consider all points of view and work to do what’s best for the whole community,” she said.

Other races

As for City Council races, residents Wahab S. Minhas, Jesus Leyva, and John J. Garrett have certified nomination papers for two open seats as councilors at large. This is to fill seats being vacated by at-large councilors Phil Elmer and Christine Forgey, who are not seeking reelection.

Precinct 1 Councilor Katherine Golub, who was appointed last summer to finish the rest of Ed Jarvis’ term, is seeking to retain her seat. Resident Rachel Gordon is running for a four-year term to represent Precinct 2, filling the seat to be vacated by City Council President Dan Guin, who is not seeking reelection. Michael Mastrototaro, meanwhile, will run for the open seat in Precinct 3, and John Bottomley seeks reelection to represent Precinct 4.

Four residents have submitted nomination papers for the three seats with four-year terms on the School Committee: Stacey Sexton, Ann Childs, Marina Leonovich and current Chair Amy Proietti. Current members Jean Wall and Susan Eckstrom are not running for reelection.

Other certified candidates for the Nov. 7 election include:

■Assessor, one seat with a four-year term — Charles Green and David Roulston.

■A.K. Warner Trust, three seats with two-year terms — Sally Ahearn and Martha Maloney.

■Jennie Bascom Education Fund, three seats with two-year terms — Ann Mayo, Deborah Richards, Maria Burge and Adele Corcoran.

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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