Published February 11, 2021
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — This week three incumbents pulled their nomination papers to seek re-election to their respective seats on three different boards in the annual Town Election May 4.
Community Planning Commission member Ryan Carroll, School Committee member Dyana Boutwell and Select Board Chairwoman Kate Manupelli each visited the Town Clerk’s office to obtain their nomination papers. It’s required of all candidates for public office in town to obtain a minimum of 50 signatures from town residents who are registered to vote in the town of North Reading to be eligible to be included on the ballot.
The deadline for candidates to return nomination papers to the Town Clerk’s office is Tuesday, March 16 at 5 p.m.
Carroll and Boutwell are both completing their first three-year terms and both were write-in candidates three years ago.
“I’m looking forward to seeking re-election this year. North Reading has evolved over my first term on the Community Planning Commission. We’ve made exciting progress on a number of initiatives that continue to shape the future of our town,” Carroll stated.
He continued, “COVID-19 has done nothing to slow the spread of commercial and residential development throughout Massachusetts, and North Reading is no exception. As North Reading continues to see new development and redevelopment, I believe it’s critical to have a community that is actively monitoring and shaping those changes to ensure it is done responsibly and maintains the character of the town.”
Boutwell is also looking forward to the challenges ahead as the school department navigates its way through the pandemic.
“I am sincerely grateful that I’ve been able to serve as a member of the School Committee. I am seeking re-election because our schools and the quality of education our children receive in the district is and will continue to be a priority for me,” Boutwell stated.
“I hope to continue working with the current committee and school administration in navigating what we all hope to be the tail end of the pandemic and to ensure our students, teachers and administrators have what they need to be successful,” Boutwell added. “It certainly has been a challenging year but this has done nothing but motivate me to want to continue in this capacity for our community.”
Manupelli could not be reached for comment by press time this week.
The Transcript also publishes candidates’ statements from each candidate in the edition closest to the election to enable them to speak directly to their constituents.
These three candidates join incumbent Select Board member Stephen O’Leary and incumbent School Committee member Rich McGowan in announcing their intentions to run in 2021. This leaves only incumbent Town Moderator John Murphy to announce his intention to run for another one-year term. There is also an open seat on the CPC this spring as former member Bill Bellavance chose to step down in December. The CPC and Select Board are currently interviewing two potential candidates to jointly appoint to this vacancy for the next few months.
Two seats each on three town boards plus the town moderator’s position are up for election this year. Select Board, School Committee and Community Planning Commission (CPC) have two seats with three-year terms available. Town Moderator is a one-year term.
Town election basics:
The following seats are up for election on May 4 this year. The names of incumbents are listed in parentheses:
• Two seats for three-year terms on the Select Board (Kate Manupelli and Stephen O’Leary);
• Two seats for three-year terms on the School Committee (Dyana Boutwell and Rich McGowan);
• Two seats for three-year terms on the Community Planning Commission (Ryan Carroll and Bill Bellavance). Please note: Bellavance stepped down and his seat will remain vacant until the CPC and Select Board make a joint appointment to be in effect until election day.
• One seat for a one-year term for Town Moderator (John Murphy);
• One seat for a five-year term on the Housing Authority (no vacancy; this seat will be open for appointment).
The deadline for candidates to return nomination papers to the Town Clerk’s office is Tuesday, March 16 at 5 p.m. Since Town Hall is only open to visitors by appointment during the pandemic all candidates must contact the Town Clerk’s office to obtain or return nomination papers. Call 978-357-5218 during regular business hours.
Once a candidate is certified as eligible to run for an elective office by turning in 50 signatures of registered town voters, the last day that candidate can choose to withdraw his or her name from the ballot is Thursday, April 1 at 5 p.m.
