Johnston sworn in; O’Leary first candidate to return nomination papers

Published March 11, 2021

Headline corrected from print edition March 12, 2021

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — Jeremiah Johnston, the town’s newest member of the Community Planning Commission (CPC), was sworn into office Monday by Town Clerk Barbara Stats. He is now eligible to participate as a voting member of the board at its next meeting on Tuesday, March 16.

Johnston was unanimously appointed to fill the vacancy on the planning board created when Bill Bellavance stepped down in December prior to the expiration of his term. The joint appointment was made by the CPC and the Select Board on March 1 and is valid through the May 4, 2021 annual election.

Johnston, of 126 Marblehead St., also took out nomination papers on Monday to run for the full three-year term.

Nomination papers due March 16

Select Board incumbent Stephen O’Leary is the first candidate to return his nomination papers to date. He filed them Wednesday, March 3, after the Transcript had gone to press.

All candidates for elective office in the annual Town Election have less than one week to return their nomination papers with at least 50 certified signatures of eligible North Reading voters to be included on the ballot. The deadline is Tuesday, March 16 at 5 p.m. and the Town Clerk’s office will remain open for the extra hour that day.

Due to the current closure of Town Hall to the general public during the pandemic, all candidates must make an appointment with the Town Clerk’s office to pull papers or return them (socially distanced in the foyer; masks required). Call 978-357-5218 during regular business hours, Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

The remaining incumbents who have pulled nomination papers are: Select Board Chairwoman Kate Manupelli, School Committee members Rich McGowan and Dyana Boutwell, CPC member Ryan Carroll, and Town Moderator John J. Murphy, who is seeking his 17th consecutive one-year team.

The Transcript publishes candidates’ statements from each candidate in the edition closest to the election to enable them to speak directly to their constituents.

Town election basics

The following seats are up for election on May 4 this year. Incumbents listed in parentheses:

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

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

• Two seats for three-year terms on the Community Planning Commission (Ryan Carroll, Bill Bellavance). Note: Jeremiah Johnston was appointed to fill Bellavance’s vacancy until election day.

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

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

CORRECTION: The headline in the print edition incorrectly stated that Stephen O’Leary’s nomination papers were the first to be certified for the ballot. Although O’Leary was the first candidate to return his nomination papers back on March 3, the Town Clerk’s Office does not certify the signatures on nomination papers until after the deadline of March 16 at 5 p.m.