By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — Interest in the Town Election by potential candidates continues to ramp up.
Both incumbent members of the Select Board have taken out nomination papers to seek reelection to the board in the May 7 Town Election.
Stephen O’Leary of 15 Meade Road, took out his nomination papers to retain his three-year seat on Friday, Jan. 19, and Kathryn Manupelli, 33 Valley Road, took out nomination papers for her three-year seat on the board on Friday, Jan 26.
On Tuesday, Jan. 30, Nicholas Masse, 1 Rodgers Circle, informed the Town Clerk’s office that he would not be returning papers for the School Committee but would retain his nomination papers for the Select Board. This is his first run for elective office in town. He had initially taken out papers for both seats with the understanding that he would need to choose one or the other.
Ryan Carroll, 21 Bishops Way, and an incumbent member of the Community Planning Commission, picked up his nomination papers for a three-year seat on the board from the Town Clerk’s office on Friday, Jan 26.
Jim DeCola, 6 Roach Circle, took out nomination papers on Thursday, Jan. 25 to retain his five-year seat on the Housing Authority.
Potential candidates who previously took out their nomination papers are incumbent Town Moderator John J. Murphy of 13 Duane Drive for the one-year term; newcomer Maxwell W. Murphy of 2 Bishops Way for the Community Planning Commission (CPC) and incumbent School Committee Vice Chair Richard F. McGowan of 46 Chestnut St.
According to Town Clerk Sue Duplin, nomination papers and candidates’ packets can be picked up at office of the Town Clerk in Town Hall, 235 North St. during normal business hours, Mondays–Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Nomination papers must be returned no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19. The Town Clerk’s office will remain open an hour later that day.
In order for a candidate to be placed on the ballot, a minimum of 50 certified signatures of registered voters residing in town must be turned in with the nomination papers. It is always recommended that candidates obtain more than the minimum number of signatures in case some cannot be certified by the Town Clerk’s Office. The town presently has 12,368 registered voters.
There are other important deadlines in the Town Election cycle. The deadline to file withdrawals or objections to all nomination papers is Thursday, April 4 at 5 p.m. The last day a resident may register to vote to participate in the May 7 Town Election is Saturday, April 27. The Town Clerk’s office will be open that day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The positions on the ballot in 2024 are:
SELECT BOARD
Two three-year terms. The incumbents up for reelection this year are Kathryn Manupelli and Stephen O’Leary.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Two three-year terms. The incumbents up for reelection this year are Dyana Boutwell and Rich McGowan.
COMMUNITY PLANNING COMMISSION
Two three-year terms. The incumbents up for reelection this year are: Ryan Carroll and Jerimiah Johnston
TOWN MODERATOR
One one-year term. The incumbent is John J. Murphy
HOUSING AUTHORITY
One five-year term: James DeCola
Town Clerk’s contact information
Those with any questions on the Town Election process may call the Town Clerk’s Office at 978-357-5230 or visit the Town Clerk’s page on the town website at northreadingma.gov/town-clerk and look at the right side of the screen where they’ll see the title: “Information to Candidates 2024.