Few Candidates Step Forward for Town Election

With only two days left to take out and return nomination papers, it’s looking more like another quiet election season in North Reading.

As of Friday afternoon when Town Hall closed for the weekend, there wasn’t enough candidates for the two three-year terms on the Community Planning Commission. William Bellevance Jr. has taken out papers, but had not returned them as of Friday afternoon. There is no other candidate for the other three-year term.

CPC incumbent Patricia Romeo has taken out papers for a one-year unexpired term. She had not returned papers as of Friday afternoon, but has been collecting signatures.

Moderator John Murphy had also not returned his papers yet.

There are two candidates for two seats on the Board of Selectmen. Incumbent Stephen O’Leary has returned his papers, as has political newcomer Kathryn Manupelli. Incumbent Joe Foti decided to not run for a second term. Foti’s election to the board three years ago was the last contested selectmen’s race involving an incumbent.

There are also two candidates for two seats on the School Committee. Incumbent Gerald Venezia and new candidate Julie Koepke have returned papers. Member Karen Errichetti decided against running again.

Housing Authority member Mary Prenney has pulled papers and returned them for another five-year term on the HA.

Candidates only have until 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 to return the signed papers. If there aren’t enough candidates for any races, the person with the most write-in votes will grab a seat.

There is not the first year that North Reading has seen little interest in town-wide offices. In fact, it’s become the norm.

Last year, there were no candidates for the Board of Selectmen until just before the deadline after two-term incumbent Sean Delaney decided to not run again.

Here who has taken out nomination papers for the May 5 Town Election:

Board of Selectmen (three years, vote for not more than two)

Stephen O’Leary*

Kathryn Manupelli

Moderator (one year, vote for not more than one)

John Murphy*

School Committee (three years, vote for not more than two)

Gerald Venezia*

Julie Koepke

Community Planning Commission (three years, vote for not more than two)

William Bellevance Jr.

Community Planning Commission (one year, vote for not more than one)

Patricia Romeo*

Housing Authority (five years, vote for not more than one)

Mary Prenney*

*Incumbents

Bolded names are people who have returned their nomination papers.