By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — There will be three-way race for two seats up for renewal on the Select Board in the May 7 annual election. All three candidates have had their nomination papers certified by the office of Town Clerk Susan Duplin.
Both incumbents, Kate Manupelli, 33 Valley Road, and Stephen O’Leary of 15 Meade Road are in the running and will face challenger Nick Masse of 1 Rodgers Circle.
All candidates have until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19 to return their nomination paper with a minimum of 50 signatures of registered North Reading voters to be certified by the Town Clerk’s office in order to get their names on the ballet.
In the race for School Committee, newcomer challenger Jennifer Leenders of 28 Heritage Way had her nomination papers certified this week. She was the first candidate for that office to do so. Incumbent Vice Chairman Rich McGowan of 46 Chestnut St. pulled his nomination papers on Jan. 16. Incumbent School Committee member Dyana Boutwell has not pulled nomination papers to date.
Last week, Timothy Sunderland, 17 Maple Road, took out nomination papers on March 5. He is a current member of the Finance Committee.
There are two three-year seats available on the School Committee so a race is a possibility for that office.
Also certified to have his name on the ballot this week is incumbent Community Planning Commission member Ryan Carroll, 21 Bishops Way. Incumbent Jerimiah Johnston has not pulled nomination papers.
Newcomer Maxwell Murphy of 2 Bishops Way pulled nomination papers on Jan. 23. He has not yet returned them.
There are two three-year terms up for renewal on the CPC.
Incumbent Town Moderator John Murphy, 13 Duane Dr., pulled his nomination papers for the one-year term on Jan. 18.
Incumbent Housing Authority member James Decola also pulled his nomination papers to retain his 5-year seat.
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.
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.
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.”