Election Papers Out Today

Have you thought about running for a spot on the Board of Selectmen? School Committee? Community Planning Commission? Stop by to pick up election papers. According to Town Clerk Barbara Stats, the papers will be available starting today and are due by 5 p.m. on March 20. The election is Tuesday, May 8.

Candidates are required to receive signatures from 50 registered voters to qualify. There will be two spots open on the Board of Selectmen, two on the School Committee, two on the Community Planning Commission and one on the Housing Authority.

Town Moderator John Murphy is also up for re-election. The town moderator serves a one-year term and moderates Town Meeting.

Both Selectman Steve O'Leary and Selectman Jeff Yull are up for re-election this year. The Board of Selectmen has five members, and each member serves a three-year term. They meet at Town Hall, typically on the first and third Monday of each month. 

As specified in the Town Charter and the Massachusetts General Laws, the selectman are the chief elected officers of the town. The board can pass rules and policies, unless they need to be voted on at Town Meeting. The board is also in charge of selecting a town administrator.

School Committee Chair Gerald Venezia and member Karen M. Errichetti are both up for re-election. School Committee members serve a three-year term and normally meet on a Monday, twice per month.

Community Planning Commission Clerk Daniel J. Mills and Patricia E. Romeo are both up for re-election this year. The Community Planning Commission consists of five members who each serve a three-year term.

Vice Chair of the Housing Authority Michele A. Mawn is up for re-election. Members of the Housing Authority serve a five-year term.

The deadline to register to vote for the election is April 18 at 8 p.m.