COHASSET - May 9, 2026 - Cohasset voters delivered a decisive blow to the proposed public safety facility at 135 King Street on Saturday, rejecting the debt exclusion required to fund the project by a margin of 185 votes. The unofficial results of the Annual Town Election also saw incumbent Ellen M. Maher and newcomer William A. Ashton secure two three-year seats on the Select Board, while Gregory Watts won the race for a two-year unexpired term.
The Full Story
The most watched item on the 2026 ballot, Question #1, failed to garner the necessary support to move forward with the design and construction of a new municipal and public safety building. The proposal sought to exempt the town from the provisions of Proposition 2 ½ to pay for bonds related to the 135 King Street project. Despite significant advocacy from town safety officials in the months leading up to the vote, the “No” votes totaled 900, outpacing the 715 “Yes” votes cast by residents.
In the race for the Select Board, three candidates vied for two three-year seats. Ellen M. Maher led the field with 942 votes, followed by William A. Ashton with 901 votes. Ashton, who served on the Public Safety Facilities Committee, had previously voiced concerns regarding the scale and “definitive need” of the King Street project during public meetings. A write-in campaign for Corey Evans netted 637 votes, though it was not enough to overcome the two leading candidates.
For the two-year unexpired Select Board seat, Gregory Watts defeated Carol A. Bestick and Jennifer Lea Chu with a tally of 690 to 223 and 604 respectively.
Jennifer Lesky was re-elected to the school committee over challenger Victoria Lattanzi by a vote of 747 to 726.
