By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — The deadline for candidates to submit nomination papers to run in the annual Town Election on May 2 is fast approaching on Tuesday, March 14 at 5 p.m.

A minimum of 50 certified signatures of registered voters who reside in town must be turned in with the nomination papers for a candidate to get on the ballot.

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.

Town Clerk Susan Duplin’s office at Town Hall will remain open one hour later on March 14, the deadline day.

Nomination papers and candidates’ packets can be picked up at the Town Clerk’s Office 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.

Those with any questions on the Town Election process may call Duplin’s office at 978-357-5218 or visit the Town Clerk’s page on the town website at northreadingma.gov.

The last day residents may register to vote in the Town Election is Saturday, April 22, 2023. Town Hall will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. that day. Residents may also register to vote online or check their voter registration status online via the secretary of state’s website.

This is the odd year in the town election cycle when only one seat is up for reelection on each of the town’s three five-member boards – Select Board, School Committee and Community Planning Commission.

The position of Town Moderator is reelected annually.

To date, all four incumbents have taken out nomination papers. Additionally, newcomer Jack Carroll,  40 Main St., Apt. 21, has pulled papers to run for Select Board.

The positions on the ballot in 2023 are:

SELECT BOARD

One three-year term. The incumbent is current Select Board Vice Chair Vincenzo Stuto, 122 Elm St.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

One three-year term. The incumbent is current School Committee Chair Scott T. Buckley, 5 Alden St.

COMMUNITY PLANNING COMMISSION

One three-year term. The incumbent is current CPC Vice Chair Christopher B. Hayden, 20 Swan Pond Rd.

TOWN MODERATOR

One one-year term. The incumbent is John J. Murphy, 13 Duane Dr.