By MAUREEN DOHERTY

 NORTH READING — The calendar may say January but the annual spring Town Election is just around the corner!

Tuesday, January 17 was the first day nomination papers were available to any candidates seeking to run in the May 2, 2023 election.

The first to pull nomination papers on the morning they became available was incumbent School Committee Chair Scott T. Buckley of 5 Alden St.

Buckley will be running for his third consecutive three-year term. In his second year on the board, Buckley served as vice chair and for the past four years he has been elected board chairman by his colleagues.

“My kids are still young. I have two in middle school and one in elementary school,” Buckley told the Transcript, adding, “I’ve appreciated working with Dr. Daly, the administration and the other School Committee members. There is still a lot more to do. I care about the schools and I am happy to volunteer my time if I am elected.”

According to Town Clerk Susan Duplin, nomination papers and candidates’ packets can be picked up at office of the Town Clerk 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. Nomination papers must be returned no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14. The Town Clerk’s office will remain open an hour later that day.

In order for a candidate to be placed on the ballot, a minimum of 50 certified signatures of registered voters residing in town must be turned in with the nomination papers. 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.

There are other important deadlines in the Town Election cycle. The deadline to file withdrawals or objections to all nomination papers is Thursday, March 30 at 5 p.m. The last day a resident may register to vote to participate in the May 2 Town Election I Saturday, April 2 at 5 p.m.

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

CHANGES ON HOUSING AUTHORITY

Of special note, the Housing Authority seat currently held by Charles Carucci, 3 Chester St., through the May election will no longer be an elected seat on the board. Per changes to state law, one seat on the Housing Authority must be held by a tenant from that community who applies to be appointed jointly by the Housing Authority and the Select Board. Tenants interested in applying must do so in the next 30 days and may contact the Town Clerk’s Office with any questions. Duplin also noted that letters informing the tenants of this opportunity will be mailed to them this week by Housing Authority Director Alan Beineke inviting them to apply.

The positions on the ballot in 2023 are:

SELECT BOARD

One three-year term. The incumbent up for reelection this year is Vincenzo Stuto, 122 Elm St.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

One three-year term. Incumbent School Committee Chair Scott T. Buckley, 5 Alden St., pulled papers on Tuesday, January 17.

COMMUNITY PLANNING COMMISSION

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

TOWN MODERATOR

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