By Michael Ryan
LEXINGTON - The more things will be changing the more they might stay the same in Lexington as a result of the town’s Democratic Party caucus.
Dems gathered on Saturday, June 21, to select candidates for the November, 2025 elections, hoping to name six candidates.
They had to reach into the Republican Party to get that done while bidding adieu to one of their own, town supervisor JoEllen Schermerhorn.
Maybe.
Schermerhorn is stepping down as supervisor after six years at the helm and fourteen years of public service, including eight as a councilwoman.
“It’s time,” Schermerhorn said in a followup phone interview. “I’m turning 74 in September and I want to start spending more time with my grandkids.
“And It has gotten to the point where I’m just not up to it anymore,” said Schermerhorn, dealing with small town and big world realities.
Supervisors in small towns are often the person that residents call upon when a problem arises, seeing them as the boss.
While all five council members have equal authority, it is the supervisor who is perceived as being the place where the buck stops (and is literally responsible for signing checks).
Technology, too, has become much more a part of the job. “You think you know what you’re doing until you realize you don’t anymore,” said Schermerhorn, light-heartedly.
Schermerhorn will be replaced on the Democratic Party ticket by Robert Riccardella, a local first responder, volunteer firefighter and “definitely a community-mind person,” says Schermerhorn who is also the Party chairwoman.
Lexington is in the midst of developing a new highway department facility. Riccardella serves on a committee guiding that project, as well.
“I’m not going to run away. I love my town and will still be here,” says Schermerhorn who may actually be closer that that.
She was chosen to run for one of two vacant town council positions, apparently not paying attention to her plans.
Michael Barcone, a fellow Democrat and longtime councilman, is seeking another 4-year term, with Schermerhorn much less involved in the everyday duties of administering the town.
A second gaping hole has to be filled with the retirement of town clerk/tax collector Charlotte Jaeger, who is not seeing re-election after eight years.
Democrats have picked Maureen Anshanslin to potentially replace Jeager who is moving to Kentucky. “I have loved working for the people of Lexington and being here for them,” Jaeger says.
There is a pond on the property where Jaeger will be living. “Maybe I’ll take up fishing or get a paddle boat,” she says, laughing.
Lexington “will be in good hands,” if Anshanslin is voted in, Jaeger says, noting “I have always enjoyed that the [two local political] parties have always worked together on what’s best for the town.”
Anshanslin, a professional social worker, currently serves as a deputy town clerk, and was chairwoman of the planning board in the neighboring town of Windham prior to relocating in Lexington.
Two other posts are also open, highway superintendent and town justice, where Democrats have cross-endorsed incumbent Republicans Kevin Simmons and Steven Rossignol, respectively.
And while it is not an elected position, Lexington will also be looking for a new bookkeeper with the retirement of Michelle Brainard.
Republicans are scheduled to gather for their caucus on July 9, according to GOP chairman and longtime town councilman Bradley Jenkins who is expected to run for another 4-year term.
Kevin Simmons is republican but endorse himalso two years ago, “everybody feels very confident he will continue to do a good job,
“When you think about it, we are endorsing a few Republicans but we listen to each other in this town. We all try to do what’s best for our residents and leave politics out of it,” Schermerhorn says.
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