The last day to pull nomination papers to run for office in Southborough is only 10 days away, and at this point there are no contested races. For several elected committees, there are not even enough candidates to fill the available spots.
Selectman Bill Boland officially filed his paperwork late last month, but is currently running unopposed for another 3-year term. On the K-8 School Committee, Marybeth Strickland has pulled papers, indicating she is considering a run for reelection. Kathleen Harragan has pulled papers to run for reelection to the Regional School Committe, but like Strickland, has not yet filed.
Susan Dargan, who is a member of both the K-8 and Regional School Committees, said earlier this year she would not seek another term on the K-8 committee citing increased responsibility at her job in the sociology department at Framingham State University. At the time she had not decided whether to try for reelection to the Regional committee, and as of yesterday had not pulled papers.
Town Moderator David Combs has pulled nomination papers in a bid for reelection. Other incumbents to pull papers include Jim Denman for the Assabet School Committee, Arthur Holmes for the Board of Assessors, Louis Fazen for the Board of Health, Jane Smith and Beth (Betsy) Rosenbloom for the Board of Library Trustees, Donald Morris and Andrew Mills for the Planning Board, and Susan Chorey for the Southborough Housing Authority.
No candidates have signaled a run for the Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds.
The last day to pull nomination papers is Friday, March 23. Candidates have until March 26 to collect signatures and file their paperwork with the Town Clerk. For more information on how to run for elected office in Southborough, see this post.
Forgive my ignorance, but if someone knows whether a candidate needs to have a platform, or at least a belief system to stand please let me know. I think that will allow those who have taxpayer concerns to decide whether they are effective candidates. As far as the BOS is concerned I prefer a candidate that has no other role in the town and receives no remuneration from the town.