Published in the March 8, 2016 edition.

WAKEFIELD — This year’s Town Election has taken an interesting turn.

Last Friday, Ronald J. Masse Jr. of 22 Pheasantwood Dr. took out nomination papers for a seat on the School Committee. Masse’s candidacy would have created a contested race for the School Board, with four candidates running for three seats. Incumbents Thomas F. Markham III, Evan M. Kenney and Greg Liakos had all previously pulled nomination papers to seek reelection.

But this morning, Kenney informed Town Clerk Rose Morgan and the Daily Item that he has decided not to seek reelection to the School Committee.

“After months of consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election to the Wakefield School Committee,” Kenney said this morning. “I am certainly sad to walk away from this role. I have learned a lot and met many wonderful people. However, I find myself frequently encountering conflicts between work commitments and School Committee commitments and I plan to go back to school as early as this spring.”

Kenney’s withdrawal means that if Masse returns his nomination papers with the required 50 certifiable voter signatures by today’s 5 p.m. deadline, he will be one of three unopposed candidates for the School Committee appearing on the April 26 Town Election ballot.

However, Gregory S. Powers of 12 Thorndike Rd. said this morning that although he learned of Kenney’s withdrawal too late to get on the ballot, he will conduct a write-in campaign for School Committee.

Last Friday, March 4, was the last day for candidates to pull papers to run for town office this year.

KEY DATES

• Friday, March 4: Last day to obtain nomination papers.

• Tuesday, March 8: Last day to submit nomination papers to Registrars of Voters for certification. Office open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Tuesday, March 22: Last day to file nomination papers with Town Clerk. Office open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Thursday, March 24: Last day to object to or withdraw nomination papers. Office open 8 a.m. 5 p.m.

• April 26: Annual Town Election.

So far, this is how the 2016 Town Election shapes up:

BOARD OF SELECTMEN (3 three-year terms)

Incumbents: Tiziano Doto, Phyllis J. Hull, Ann McGonigle Santos. Peter J. May, 12 Garden Ln., took out nomination papers Jan. 4. Anthony J. Longo of 15 Fell St. took out nomination papers Jan. 4. Incumbent Phyllis J. Hull took out papers for reelection Jan. 4. Daniel L. Benjamin Jr., 10 Foster St., #205, took out papers Jan. 20. Ann McGonigle Santos, 39 Converse St., took out nomination papers for reelection Jan. 21.

TOWN CLERK (1 one-year term)

Present official: Rosemary Morgan (temporary). Betsy Sheeran of 27 Spruce St. took out nomination papers Jan. 4. Kristen K. Henshaw, 15 Pierce Ave., pulled nomination papers Jan. 14.

TOWN TREASURER (1 three-year term)

Incumbent: John J. McCarthy Jr. He took out nomination papers Jan. 11.

MODERATOR (1 one-year term)

Incumbent: William Harbison Carroll

SCHOOL COMMITTEE (3 three-year terms)

Incumbents: Thomas F. Markham III, Evan Michael Kenney and Greg Liakos. Markham took out nomination papers Jan. 8. Kenney took out nomination papers Jan. 11, but announced on March 8 that he will not run. Liakos pulled nomination papers on Jan. 22. Ronald. J. Masse, Jr. of 22 Pheasantwood Dr. took out nomination papers on March 4. Gregory S. Powers announced on March 8 that he would run a write-in campaign for School Committee.

HOUSING AUTHORITY (1 five-year term)

Incumbent: Eugene N. Ruggiero. Ruggiero took out papers for reelection Jan. 8.

LIBRARY TRUSTEES (3 three-year terms)

Incumbents: Donna West Conlon, John Havelick Jr. and Timothy F. Healy. Jeffrey Michael Quinn took out papers Jan. 8. Timothy F. Healey took out papers for reelection Jan. 28. John Havelick pulled nomination papers on Feb. 16.

PLANNING BOARD (1 five-year term)

Incumbent Paul Semenza took out nomination papers on Feb. 16.

BOARD OF HEALTH (1 three-year term)

Incumbent: Elaine M. Silva. She took out nomination papers on Jan. 15.

BOARD OF ASSESSORS (1 three-year term)

Incumbent: Christopher J. Wilcock

GAS AND LIGHT COMMISSIONER (2 three-year terms)

Incumbents: Michael Giannattasio, Kevin T. Haggerty. Haggerty, of 380 Vernon St., took out nomination papers for reelection Jan. 21. William J. Boodry of 25 White Cir. also took out nomination papers Jan. 21.

CONSTABLE (2 three-year terms)

Incumbents: Gerard S. Alterio Jr., Richard O. Bayrd. Alterio, a resident of 363 Vernon St., took out nomination papers Jan. 7. Bayrd took out papers for reelection Jan. 11. Robert S. Stewart, 56 Emerson St., took out papers for nomination on Jan. 11. Mark A. Ross of 28 Keeling Rd. took out nomination papers on Jan. 28.

CONSTABLE (1 one-year term)

Incumbent: Robert E. Foley. John J. Ruehrwein, 32 Pine St., took out nomination papers Jan 14. Daniel L. Benjamin Jr., 10 Foster St., #205, took out papers Jan. 20, but later withdrew them.