Cape Cod MPO elects four subregional representatives; Zelinsky, Smith, Galligan and Arterino win seats

The Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization elected four subregional representatives during its meeting, finalizing the slate the MPO had previously nominated.

Edwin Zelinsky won the Subregion A seat (Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich) after staff read absentee ballots from select board members; the election official recorded four votes for Zelinsky. In Subregion B (Dennis and Yarmouth), Peter Q. Smith was declared the winner after votes and absentee ballots were tallied; candidate James Plath had asked his town not to vote for him and did not receive votes by his request. Subregion C (Brewster, Harwich, Chatham, Orleans) and Subregion D (Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, Provincetown) were uncontested; Kevin Galligan and Art Arterino were announced as the winners for C and D respectively.

The election was conducted by Cape Cod Commission staff following the slate confirmed at the MPO’s Oct. 16 meeting. Staff read absentee ballots for each eligible select board member and used roll-call voting where members participated remotely. Staff noted that if any subregion resulted in a tie, the MPO would hold a runoff at a subsequent meeting.

The newly elected and returning members will be welcomed at the MPO’s January meeting, and staff reminded members they may designate alternates from within their subregions to help maintain quorum. The election process, ballot reading and vote tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes.

The MPO will incorporate the new representatives into upcoming TIP and policy discussions beginning in the new year.