Published in the January 6, 2016 edition
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Planning Board member Richard “Dick” Dalton pulled nomination papers for selectman on Monday and intends to run for a three-year term in the town election on April 11.
Dalton was appointed to the Planning Board in a joint meeting held by the Board of Selectmen and Planning Board in November. He was appointed to the board to replace former Planning Board member Randall Crompton, who stepped down last fall.
“I have had a long track record of being involved in Lynnfield town government and this seemed like a natural progression,” Dalton said in an interview with the Villager. “I have run major companies including the Back Bay Restaurant Group. Looking at the landscape, I believe I would be a positive addition to the Board.”
Dalton currently works for the Baker Administration as the Boston regional director for the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, which he was appointed to last May. According to The Boston Globe, Dalton’s job entails assisting local companies expand in the Boston area as well as recruit new companies to open in the region.
Dalton previously worked as the chief operating officer for the Back Bay Restaurant Group, which owns Joe’s American Bar and Grill and Papa Razzi. He moved to Seattle, Wash. in October 2011 to work for restaurant operator Madison Holdings, which was looking to expand a sushi restaurant chain. He also ran the Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere.
“I have tackled budgets in the private sector that are much larger than Lynnfield’s budget,” said Dalton.
Dalton’s appointment to the Planning Board will be effective through the April town election. The one-year remaining in Crompton’s term will be placed on the ballot in the upcoming election.
Dalton previously served on the Planning Board several years ago prior to moving to Seattle. He moved back to Lynnfield in September 2014.
According to Town Clerk Trudy Reid, there were no other elected officials who pulled papers on Monday.
The following elected officials are up for re-election this year:
• Selectman: Tom Terranova.
• School Committee: Susie Cleary and Dorothy Presser.
• Board of Assessors: Bonnie Celi.
• Board of Library Trustees: Faith Horner-Coakley and Ann Miller.
• Town Moderator: Arthur Bourque.
• Planning Board: Alan Dresios and Richard Dalton. Dalton’s position in all likelihood will be open.
The last date to obtain and submit nomination papers for the town election is Tuesday, Feb. 22. Papers must be returned no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 22. In order for a candidate to get their name on the ballot, nomination papers must be certified with at least 50 signatures of Lynnfield registered voters.
If residents are interested in running for office for 2016 and have questions regarding the nomination and election process, they should call the Town Clerk’s office at 781-334-9400.
