Published in the January 25, 2017 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — A political newcomer this week took out nomination papers to run for a seat on the Planning Board in the April town election.

Willard Lane resident Brian Charville pulled papers on Monday, Jan. 23, and is running for a five-year term. Planning Board co-Chairman Alan Dresios currently holds the seat, but has yet to pull papers for reelection.

In a letter to the editor appearing in this week’s Villager, Charville said he was inspired to run for Planning Board after recently completing the board’s Master Plan survey. He currently works as an attorney for a real estate development company.

“I reside on Willard Lane in Lynnfield Center with my wife, Bridget, and our three young children,” said Charville. “We were attracted to Lynnfield by the very things that grow from careful planning: Attractive neighborhoods, safe streets, diverse and walkable retail options, and a distinct village character in South Lynnfield and the Center.”

Charville also said he has “spent nearly five years as a planning and zoning attorney for a county government,” where he “advised planning and zoning boards in that role.”

“Now is the time to participate, share and reach consensus on our ideas, and set guideposts for how Lynnfield will evolve in the next decade,” said Charville. “I look forward to meeting voters, sharing my ideas and serving our town in the months and years ahead.”

There are six incumbents who have pulled papers for the April 10 town election.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Phil Crawford pulled papers on Monday, Jan. 9, and is running for a second three-year term on the board. Crawford has served as a selectman since 2013.

School Committee member Jamie Hayman pulled papers Tuesday, Jan. 10, and is running for a second three-year term. Town Moderator Arthur Bourque pulled papers on Monday, Jan. 9 and is running for a one-year term. Bourque was elected town moderator in April 2012.

Library Trustee Janine Rodrigues-Saldanha, who succeeded late Library Trustee Seavey Bowdoin, took out nomination papers on Monday, Jan. 9, and is running for the final year remaining on Bowdoin’s term. The Board of Selectmen and Board of Library Trustees appointed Rodrigues-Saldanha to the board last August.

Housing Authority Vice Chairman Gerald Shulman pulled papers on Monday, Jan. 9, and is running for a five-year term. Board of Assessors member Bonnie Celi pulled papers on Friday, Jan. 13 and is running for another three-year term.

In addition to Dresios, the only incumbent who has not pulled papers is Board of Library Trustees Chairman Robert Calamari, who is eligible to run for a three-year term.

The last date to obtain and submit nomination papers for the town election is Tuesday, Feb. 21. Papers must be returned no later than 5 p.m. on deadline day.

In order for a candidate to get his or her name on the ballot, nomination papers must be certified with at least 50 signatures of Lynnfield registered voters.

If there are Lynnfield residents interested in running for elected office in 2017 and have any questions regarding the nomination or election process, townspeople should call Town Clerk Trudy Reid at 781-334-9401.