Published January 28, 2021

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — As the Transcript was going to press on Wednesday no new candidates had entered the May 4 town election.

To date incumbent School Committee member Rich McGowan is the only official to declare his intention of seeking to retain his seat. He is finishing up his first three-year term on the board.

Seats on three boards plus the town moderator’s position are up for election this year. School Committee, Select Board and Community Planning Commission (CPC) have two seats with three-year terms. Town Moderator is a one-year term.

At Monday night’s Select Board meeting, the members expressed their support for an extension of the ability to vote by mail for this municipal election. Town Clerk Barbara Stats also expressed her support for it as an option for those who are avoiding public places.

In response to a question posed by Select Board member Stephen O’Leary, Stats explained that it would be cost-prohibitive for the town to mail a ballot to each registered voter in town. The relief sought would be the option to request an absentee ballot without having to declare a reason.

Contacted after the meeting by the Transcript to inquire about the timeframe for mailing such ballots, Stats responded, “The regular absentee ballots would be available three weeks before the election; but can be submitted earlier, and once the ballots are received we start mailing them out.” 

Provided nothing changes related to COVID-19 this year, Election Day is Tuesday, May 4. The deadline for candidates to return nomination papers to the Town Clerk’s office is Tuesday, March 16 at 5 p.m.

All candidates are required to obtain a minimum of 50 signatures from town residents who are registered to vote in the town of North Reading to be eligible to be included on the ballot. Therefore, Stats advises candidates to submit more than the minimum number of signatures required because her office is unable to certify signatures that are “duplications, illegible or ineligible.”

Once a candidate is certified as eligible to run for an elective office, the last day that candidate can choose to withdraw his or her name from the ballot is Thursday, April 1 at 5 p.m.

Candidates must call in advance

Since COVID-19 restrictions are still in place candidates must make an appointment to obtain nomination papers Call 978-357-5218during regular business hours.

Elective offices for 2021

The following seats are up for election this year. The names of incumbents are listed in parentheses:

• Two seats for three-year terms on the Select Board (Kate Manupelli and Stephen O’Leary);

• Two seats for three-year terms on the School Committee (Dyana Boutwell and Rich McGowan);

• Two seats for three-year terms on the Community Planning Commission (Ryan Carroll and Bill Bellavance). Please note: Bellavance stepped down and his seat will remain vacant until the CPC and Select Board make a joint appointment to be in effect until election day.

• One seat for a one-year term for Town Moderator (John Murphy);

• One seat for a five-year term on the Housing Authority (no vacancy; this seat will be open for appointment).