The media seems obsessed with running announcements for the 2020 election. But an election much closer to home is bearing down on us – with only a few days for you to throw your hat in the ring.
If you’re interested in running for Town Office, there are only a few days left to run to Town Hall and pull nomination papers. The deadline to obtain papers is 5:00 pm this Friday, March 22nd.
It looks like we need at least one more resident to step up. So far, no one has pulled papers for the Planning Board.
(I haven’t been able to get official confirmation that incumbent Phil Jenks isn’t running for re-election. But it is looking very likely.)
Since some candidates who pulled papers have yet to return them, it’s not the only potential vacancy. Candidates have until March 26th to collect voter signatures and file their papers.
Meanwhile, I have word that neither Selectwoman Bonnie Phaneuf nor Selectman Brian Shifrin are running for re-election. That means no incumbent advantage will be at play for that office this election season.
There’s already a potential race brewing. In addition to the one official candidate, three more residents pulled papers for the two seats:
- Steven J. David
- Martin F. Healey
- Joseph E. Hubley
- Sam Stivers (papers returned)
It’s not the only potential race. I previously posted that no one had pulled papers for two other positions. That has changed with two potential candidates for one of the seats.
Board of Health – 3 year term
Timothy James Fish
Mary Lou Wofford (incumbent – papers returned)
Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds – 3 year term
Nicholas McCoy (incumbent)
I also reported that the following candidates had pulled but not filed papers. All three have since filed.
Housing Authority – 5 year term
Nancy G. Morris (incumbent)
Moderator – 1 year term
Paul M. Cimino (incumbent)
Southborough School Committee – 3 year term
Roger W. Challen (incumbent)
Nothing has changed for the following offices. Each has the same number of candidates with returned papers as there are seats to fill.
Board of Assessors – 3 year term
Jeffrey W. Klein (incumbent)
Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds – 2 year term
Susan Delarda-Wood
Board of Trustees Southborough Library – vote for two – 3 year term
Marguerite H. Landry (incumbent)
Richard J. Wallace (incumbent)
Northborough-Southborough Regional School Committee – Southborough candidate – 3 year term
Daniel L. Kolenda (incumbent)
There is still time for anyone who wants to turn one of the uncontested seats into a race
For those of you considering a run, click here to open the Town’s full list of vital dates. If you have questions about the responsibilities of the positions, you can find information here.
I wonder why Mrs. Phaneuf and Mr Shifrin are not seeking re election? Do they know something is amuck,? Kind of odd to have 2 leavening at the same time ?
It will be interesting if they give some sort of an exit statement, as to why they are leavening, My guess is it’s too Hot in the Kitchen
The two decisions are unrelated and don’t indicate anything untoward.
As most readers are probably aware, Brian Shifrin has been struggling with ALS. He posted on Facebook that he’s grateful to voters for allowing him to achieve his dream to become a selectman. But, now he is going to focus on his family and his health.
Bonnie Phaneuf has served since 2014 and served nine prior years (when it was a three member board) before taking a break. She’s certainly contributed enough years of service to the Town for her to step down without anyone presuming it means something ugly.
Beth : I didn’t know that MR. .Shifrin was battling ALS, There is no explaining to do on his part, I hope he can overcome it.
We need more candidates for school committee. Although Mr. Challen has been fine, it would be nice to see some new blood to challenge the Superintendent. Recent decisions made by her are questionable and School Committee just seem to fluff it off. Busses are a mess still and the step up day decision – not what the parents like. Don’t think the new Superintendent will be any different, he learned everything from her. Spending in the schools is out of control. Let’s get a handle on things as we move into a new School head. I am all for new blood. If I didn’t travel so much, I would run, but I think it is unfair when I am out of town so much. We don’t need another Dan Polenta.
You make it sound like its easy. Most voters show up to the polls without any understanding of who the candidates are or what the issues might be. They simply vote for the incumbent and move on. It takes a tremendous amount of time and money to reach people, get your message across, and convince them to come out to vote.
And then on the off chance that you win, you dedicate a large portion of your private time in service to the town. Only to get lambasted by anonymous posters who think every decision is easy and that you’re stupid for not solving every problem. (And sometimes they even stoop to mocking your name. Polenta…really?)
Whether I agree with them or not, I applaud every elected official in our town and thank them for their service. So should you.
Some of our officials make decisions that hurt the greater public, and ignore the desires of the citizens, but satisfy their own needs. You are obviously not in touch.