Southborough resident Daniel Kolenda made his run for Selectmen official yesterday by formally filing papers for a seat on the board. Assuming Jeffrey Rosenberg, who pulled nomination papers last month, files before the deadline later this month, voters will have a choice in the race for selectmen. The way things are shaping up, it may be one of the few choices residents have at the ballot box in May.
If all of the people who have pulled papers so far return them, the race for selectmen will still be the only contested one. And as of this morning, Assistant Town Clerk Michelle Jenkins said no one has pulled papers for three town positions — including one on the K-8 School Committee.
Other positions that currently have no potential candidates include a seat on the Library Board of Trustees and one on the Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds. Former Selectman Bonnie Phaneuf pulled papers for the Trust Fund position, but later said she would not run.
Two seats are open on the K-8 School Committee. Incumbent Kathleen Harragan Polutchko has said she will run again for one of the seats. Jack Kessler, whose term also ends this year, has so far not pulled nomination papers for the K-8 School Committee or for re-election to the Regional School Committee on which he also serves.
There are also two seats up for grabs on the Regional School Committee. Incumbent Paul Butka announced last month he would seek re-election. Resident David Rueger has also pulled papers for a seat, but has not yet filed.
A number of other incumbents have pulled papers for re-election, including Paul Berry for Town Clerk, David Coombs for Moderator, Thomas Beaumont for the Board of Assessors, Nancy Sacco for the Board of Health, and Judith Budz for the Board of Library Trustees.
Newcomers Kathleen Bartolini and Marianna Surette have pulled papers for seats on the Planning Board and Southborough Housing Authority, respectively.
James Denman has pulled papers to be the Southborough representative on the Assabet School Committee. Denman was appointed to the board last year after the death of his father Jim, who served on the Assabet School Committee for 29 years.
Candidates have until March 18 to pull nomination papers and until March 21 to file (more info here). Town elections will be held on May 9.