Published March 18, 2021

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — Shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday, Town Clerk Barbara Stats reported to the Transcript that all seven candidates for elective office in this year’s Town Election had returned their nomination papers by the deadline.

“All nomination papers have been certified and all candidates have met or exceeded the number required to be placed on the ballot,” Stats said.

Candidates are required to submit a minimum of 50 certified signatures of registered North Reading voters for inclusion on the ballot. This year’s Town Election is Tuesday, May 4.

While there will be no contested races for the four town offices, the certification of all seven candidates means that no available elected position will go unfilled in 2021.

The candidates running for three-year terms on the Select Board are incumbent Chairwoman Kate Manupelli and incumbent Stephen O’Leary. Manupelli is seeking her third consecutive three-year term. O’Leary was first elected to the post in 1988 and has served on the board almost continuously since that time, approximately 28 out of the last 33 years. He has lost just one race out of 11 prior races.

Incumbent School Committee members Dyana Boutwell and Rich McGowan are both running for three-year terms. They both are completing their first three-year terms this year.

Community Planning Commission incumbents Ryan Carroll and Jeremiah Johnston are also running for three-year terms. Carroll is completing his first three-year term. Johnston was appointed two weeks ago to fill the unexpired term of Bill Bellavance through election day.

Last, but certainly not least, Town Moderator John Murphy is running to retain the position he has held since 2004. It is the only elective office in town that is up for renewal every year.

The Transcript will publish candidates’ statements from each candidate on April 29, which is the edition closest to election day, to enable them to speak directly to their constituents about their goals for their office.

For questions about the Town Election or how to register to vote, contact the Town Clerk’s office at 978-357-5218.