Town Election Races Beginning To Take Shape

With less than four days left before the deadline for nominations, there could be three competitive races facing Belmont voters this April.

As of noon Friday, Feb. 11, said that nomination papers are still out for a number of candidates (see below). But if all the papers are turned in, it appears that voters will have three competitive town-wide contests on the April 4 ballot. 

In what would likely produce the most interest among voters, a pair of incumbents – Chairwoman Ann Rittenburg and Laurie Graham – could be facing repeat challenger Kevin Cunningham for the two open slots. 

Cunningham, a Chandler Street resident with children in the system, is making his third try for a seat on the committee. Last year, he ran third in a four person race for two seats which were won by Dan Scharfman and Laurie Slap. In September 2009, he was one of five candidates looking to fill the term of Diane Stafford who resigned earlier in the year. That vacancy was eventually filled by Becky Vose. 

While Graham has submitted her nomination papers, Rittenburg and Cunningham, a computer consultant with degrees from MIT and Harvard, have not as of Friday.

(Update: Ann Rittenburg submitted her nomination papers to the Town Clerk's office Friday afternoon.)

Over at the , Matt Sullivan, a lifelong resident who spearheaded the successful move at the fall Town Meeting, will be pitted against current board members Mary Keenan and Vice Chairman Hal Shubin.

And Richard Butler - who still has not brought in his nomination papers - could be taking on longtime Floyd Carman. 

The deadline for turning in signed nomination papers for Town Meeting or town-wide office is Monday, Feb. 14, at precisely 5 p.m. to the office at Town Hall.

"There’s still plenty of time to secure signatures," said Cushman. The Town Clerk’s office will be open Friday until 4 p.m. to take out papers.

Town-wide offices

Nomination, signatures certified. name on the ballot

School Committee: Laurie Graham

Treasurer: Floyd Carman

Library Trustees: Mary Keenan, Hal Shubin, Matthew Sullivan

Town Moderator: Michael Widmer 

Board of Health: Donna David 

Board of Assessors: Robert P. Reardon (three year term) 

Housing Authority: Charles R. Laverty, III

Nomination papers, not yet returned for certification

Board of Selectmen: Ralph Jones

School Committee: Kevin Cunningham

Treasurer: Richard Butler

Board of Assessors: Martin Millane

Board of Cemetery Commissioners: Alexander E. Corbett, III