Published February 25, 2021
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — Incumbent Town Moderator John J. Murphy of Duane Drive has pulled nomination papers to run for his 17th consecutive one-year team. It’s the only elected seat in the annual town election with a one-year term.
All candidates for elective office in the annual Town Election have nearly three weeks to return nomination papers by the 5 p.m. deadline on Tuesday, March 16.
As the Transcript was going to press Wednesday none of the candidates who have pulled their nomination papers for the May 4 election had returned them. Candidates for public office in town must obtain at least 50 signatures from town residents who are registered to vote in North Reading for inclusion on the ballot.
With Murphy declaring his intention to run, all incumbents have pulled papers. They are Select Board Chairwoman Kate Manupelli and Select Board member Stephen O’Leary, School Committee members Rich McGowan and Dyana Boutwell, and Community Planning Commissioner Ryan Carroll. Each seek to retain their three-year terms.
There remains one vacant seat on the CPC after Bill Bellavance stepped down in December and announced he would not seek re-election to the three-year seat. Two candidates are vying for the joint appointment by the CPC and Select Board to fill the remainder of the term. The joint public meeting has not yet been held.
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 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).
Candidates must contact the Town Clerk’s office to make an appointment to obtain or return nomination papers because Town Hall is closed to the general public during COVID without an appointment. 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.
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.
