Politics & Government

New Face Enters Selectmen Race

A member of the Smolak Farms team has decided to enter North Andover politics.

Smolak Farms Education Coordinator Adam Sapienza has taken out nomination papers to run for the Board of Selectmen in the upcoming local election.

"I believe strongly in giving back to the community, especially a community as supportive as North Andover is," Sapienza said. "I love this town a lot."

Sapienza, 27, was raised in North Andover and attended North Andover schools. He's worked for Smolak Farms for almost three years -- and worked there in the field crew when he was 15 -- and earned a bachelor's degree in theater arts from Point Park University in Pennsylvania in 2009.

Is Sapienza's candidacy related to Smolak Farms' recent dispute with neighbors over noise complaints that delayed their 2014 entertainment license? Sapienza says no and that he decided to run long before the license dispute.

"I'm single, I really don't have any responsibilities besides work and myself, so i can give 110 percent if elected," he said.

There isn't one single issue or project Sapienza wants to tackle or promote as a selectman, but he wants to make his tenure about accessibility.

"I think one of the things i do [at Smolak Farms] is deal with a lot of people at various times," Sapienza said. "Communication is absolutely key... I believe strongly in our form of government, and i learned as a college representative that people need you to be accessible as a selectmen. People need to feel like they have a part in the whole thing."

Incumbents Tracy Watson and Don Stewart have also taken out papers, which makes the selectmen's race the only competitive race so far.

In the School Committee race, members Brian Gross and Stan Limpert have taken out papers for reelection. Greater Lawrence Technical School Committee member Frank Rossi has done the same.


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