West Springfield Mayor William Reichert waves to the crowd from an open-top vehicle during the parade at The Big E in 2024. Reichelt will face a challenge from Town Councilor Daniel O’Brien in this year’s election.
Reminder Publishing file photo
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Mayor William Reichelt will have some competition in this year’s general election.
The decade-long incumbent will face off against current At-Large Town Councilor and former police officer Daniel O’Brien.
If Reichelt wins, it will be his fourth term as mayor. He was last elected to four-year terms without any competition in 2017 and 2021. O’Brien, meanwhile, has served on the council since 2016.
According to a list submitted by the West Springfield Town Clerk’s office, there are seven nominees running for five at-large Town Council seats. Brian Griffin and Jaime Collins are the two incumbents running for an at-large seat, while Brett Berchin, James Welch, David Sypek, Diana Coyne and Elisa Olivo-Robles represent the newcomers in the race.
Notably, current City Council President Sean Powers and Vice President Brian Clune are not on the list of at-large candidates. In emails, both councilors confirmed that they are not running for reelection this fall.
Clune specifically said that, after 12 years on the council, he wanted to give a newcomer the chance to serve.
In the district council race, the three incumbents representing Districts 2, 3 and 4 have no competition at this time. However, District 1 representative William Forfa has a challenger in James Mirolli.
As of press time, six School Committee candidates are running for six seats in this year’s election, including five incumbents. With Coyne running for council, current nominee Alexander Cerbo is the sole non-incumbent looking to take her place on the School Committee.
According to the West Springfield website, the deadline to submit nomination papers for the election was July 22. As of press time, there is no date for a preliminary election, however the website states that polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 4 general election day.
Precincts 1 and 2 voters will go to the West Springfield Senior Center to vote, while 3 through 8 will vote at the West Springfield High School.
Reminder Publishing will have more about the candidates as election season approaches.
