Boston Voters Approve School Board Changes

By a narrow margin, Boston voters yesterday approved Mayor Raymond Flynn's plan to change the 13-member elected School Committee to a seven-member board appointed by the mayor. The margin was 28,384 to 27,714.

Flynn's proposal would need City Council and Legislative approval, as well as the governor's signature, before taking effect.

Voters in 39 Massachusetts cities went to the polls yesterday to elect municipal officials and vote on ballot referenda.

In Lowell, voters said on a non-binding ballot that they wanted English to be the city's official language. The referendum, which was opposed by minority groups, passed by a margin of 14,575 to 5679.

City Councillor James A. Sheets won the Quincy mayor's post while the mayor of Newburyport lost to his predecessor and Salem's top executive was ousted. Mayors in Lawrence, Holyoke, Fitchburg, Fall River and Gloucester held onto their posts.

In Somerville, Michael Capuano beat John Buonomo 9383 to 9020. Marlboro City Council member Michael Hogan won with 4729 votes to former Mayor Joseph Ferrecchia's 4599.

A race that had focused on the placement of a sewer treatment plant in New Bedford went down to the wire, with Mayor John Bullard and David Williford exchanging the lead as the night grew late.

With 40 of 42 precincts reporting, Bullard streched the lead to 12,500 over Williford's 11,614.

In Quincy, Sheets beat business executive Peter F. O'Connell 17,553 to 11,454, to take the seat being vacated by Mayor Francis X. McCauley. Salem Mayor Anthony Salvo lost 6697 to 6084 to Neil Harrington.

In Gardner--where Mayor John DeVeua chose not to seek re-election after his indictment on sexual assault charges--former Mayor Gerald St. Hilaire gained 2657 votes only to be edged out by former City Councillor Charles Manca's 2704.

Newton Mayor Theodore Mann, who has served for 18 years, defeated 17-year City Council member Richard McGrath 60 percent to 40 percent, according to the city clerk.

Attleboro Mayor Kai Shang won a second term, beating Charles Adler 4528 to 3450.

Newburyport Mayor Edward G. Molin lost his rubber match with former Mayor Peter J. Matthews by 3159 to 3348 vote margin. Holyoke Mayor Dunn beat challenger Edward O'Connor by a landslide, 8673 to 2046.

Gloucester Mayor William Squillace beat perennial candidate Dan Ruberti 4681 to 2522.

Haverhill Mayor Theodore Pelosi Jr. beat Louis Fossarelli 9957 to 3158.