Holbrook Voters Face Key Races, Ballot Question April 4

Holbrook voters will head to the polls Saturday April 4 with multiple key races on the ballot. Alongside a ballot question, both the Select Board and Town Clerk positions feature competitive contests.

The Select Board race includes three candidates vying for two seats: incumbent Chair Patricia Conway, Current Planning Board Chair Christopher Eddington, and former Select Board member Daniel Lee.

Select Board candidates

Conway, a Holbrook resident of more than 30 years, is seeking reelection and points to collaboration and progress during her time on the board.

“Change doesn’t happen overnight,” Conway said. “With the strong foundations that have been built, the real work can move forward. I want to be part of that work.”

She said her interest in local government began as a Town Meeting member, where she saw firsthand how decisions are made and how tax dollars are allocated.

“Seeing how the decisions were made helped me recognize the need for a strategic plan for investing financially in the community in a more meaningful and fiscally responsible way,” she said.

If reelected, Conway said she plans to continue emphasizing collaboration among residents with differing viewpoints.

“Serving the town for the last three years has been an honor,” she said. “As the town changes and grows, it is inspiring to see how much our community appreciates its history, loves its present and envisions an evolving and thriving future for Holbrook.”

Eddington, another candidate for Select Board, moved to Holbrook from Boston in 2017 and has worked in the government sector for 15 years.

He has volunteered with the Council on Aging, the food pantry and other community events. He currently serves as chair of the Planning Board and as a Town Meeting member.

Eddington emphasized the importance of Town Meeting participation and resident involvement in local government.

“Town Meeting member is the easiest and single most important position in town,” he said. “You vote and have a say in the town’s budget and any major changes to town rules and regulations.”

He said increasing participation is critical.

“This is a very important position and is in desperate need of new members,” Eddington said.

Eddington added that he wants to build on recent changes in the town.

“I would like to continue the momentum of change that has swept Holbrook in the last few years,” he said. “Holbrook is in need of younger, well-educated people to join town boards, and I’m hopeful I can generate interest in that area.”

Lee, the third candidate on the ballot, served on the Select Board from 2016 to 2023 and is seeking one of the two available seats.

A lifelong Holbrook resident, Lee has been a Town Meeting member for 26 years and served 15 years on the Board of Assessors. He said his experience in town government would allow him to be effective immediately.

“Being involved in local government my whole life gives me the knowledge and experience needed to hit the ground running on day one,” Lee said.

Town clerk candidates

The town clerk race is also open, as incumbent Jeanmarie Tarara is not seeking reelection. The position carries a three-year term and is responsible for record-keeping and overseeing elections.

Meaghan Walsh Harrington and Pamela Solis are running for the seat. Former town clerks Jeanmarie Tarara and Shirley Austin have endorsed Harrington.

Harrington, a fifth-generation Holbrook resident, works as a vice president in global human resources talent enablement at State Street Corp.

She said her professional experience aligns with the responsibilities of the role.

“Elections, record keeping and municipal operations demand strong leadership and disciplined execution — skills I practice every day in my current role,” Harrington said.

She also emphasized accessibility and customer service.

“The town clerk’s office is often the first place residents turn for assistance,” she said. “I am prepared to make accessibility and responsiveness a priority and am committed to providing the highest level of customer support.”

Harrington remains active in the Holbrook community, including volunteering and serving as a Town Meeting member.

“As a fifth-generation resident, I’ve always believed in giving back to the town we call home,” she said.

Solis, a lifelong Holbrook resident, has served as assistant town clerk for the past four years.

She said her experience will allow her to transition smoothly into the role.

“I cannot overstate how valuable this experience has been. I understand interdepartmental processes, have built strong relationships with the Town Hall team and, most importantly, have been actively involved in the vital processes of the Town Clerk’s Office,” Solis said.

Her experience includes day-to-day operations of the Town Clerk’s office, assisting with past elections and Town Meeting proceedings.

Increasing voter turnout has been an important focus for the office, and Solis said she plans to continue to push for increased participation.

“I want to see as many eligible voters as possible participate in elections, and I hope to implement improvements in voter outreach,” she said. “I have thoughtful ideas about what improvements can be made, and I am eager to work with the residents of Holbrook to ensure the Town Clerk’s Office serves everyone in an efficient, accurate and trustworthy manner.”

Holbrook’s town election will be held Saturday April 4, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Holbrook Public Schools, 245 S. Franklin St.

Voters are reminded to check the back of their ballot for Town Meeting Candidates and Ballot Question 1.