Walpole Board of Selectmen Chair Eric Kraus Will Not Seek Re-Election

Current Board of Selectmen chair Eric Kraus has announced he will not seek re-election this spring after his three-year term ends in June.

“While I truly enjoyed my time on the Board of Selectmen and serving the town, I don't think it's appropriate to run, especially given my family and work-related commitments,” Kraus said. “Quite frankly, it wouldn't be fair to my family or to the town of Walpole if I couldn't give 100 percent.”

Kraus, a Walpole resident for 23 years, is finishing his third and final year of his first time on the board. He pulled papers in February for re-election but said at the time he was not certain he would run for selectman after recently accepting a new position as senior vice president and chief communications and corporate affairs officer of Bermuda-based rum selling giant Bacardi.

In his three years on the board, Kraus noted several accomplishments he took pride in:

• Communication with the townspeople through open forum and seeking input on important issues

• Handling of the several issues related to planned initiatives in Foxborough, i.e. expanded train service, development, traffic, etc.

• Establishment of actionable goals and priorities, including the downtown development-working group

• My accessibility for my constituents

While Kraus will not be seeking re-election this spring he hasn’t ruled out running for a seat on the board in the future.

“Should something change down the road, you may see me pulling papers again,” Kraus said.

Town election is June 1.