Schlegel and Afanasenko Win Scituate Select Board Seats

Voters turned out on Saturday, May 31, to elect two new members to the Scituate Select Board, choosing Freya Schlegel and Nicolai Afanasenko in contested races that highlighted water quality, affordability, and responsible growth.

Schlegel secured Position 1 with 1,788 votes, defeating Maryanne Lewis, who received 1,250. For Position 2, Afanasenko earned a decisive 2,044 votes, while David Daiphinee trailed with 1,064.

“My passion is for Scituate,” Schlegel said at a recent candidates' forum. “With my time on the board, I would like to ensure our drinking water is clean and safe and that there's adequate supply for all who live here.”

Afanasenko, who received the highest vote total in the election, emphasized financial stewardship and sustainable development.

“One of the things I really want to do is make sure that we're fiscally responsible in our town and make sure that as we go forward we continue to balance the idea between smart and managed growth,” Afanasenko said, “providing for our town's people, providing affordability for them to stay here.”

Lewis, a former state representative for Dedham from 1995 to 2003, also ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2022. She is the mother of current state representative Patrick Kearney (D-Scituate).

The newly elected board members are expected to be sworn in at the next Select Board meeting.