By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Two incumbents and a political newcomer pulled nomination papers for the April Town Election last week.

Center Village resident Karin Round took out papers for a three-year term on the Board of Library Trustees on Thursday, Jan. 9.

“When I learned that there would be a vacancy on the Board, I thought that now would be a good time for me to help in that capacity,” Round stated in an email sent to the Villager. “I’ve been an active supporter of the library for many years. I helped re-energize the Friends of the Lynnfield Library some years ago, worked to get the 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation and served as president for several years, but also as secretary and treasurer. Although I had to take a step back when I went to work as the office manager of our family’s hardware store, I’ve always been an enthusiastic library supporter and avid reader. I have a BA in English from UMass-Boston, and last year, I joined the board of the Library Foundation. I’ve been a frequent guest to recent Board meetings, so I’m familiar with their agendas. I take notes, I listen hard, learn fast and try not to speak unless I think it helps move the discussion forward. I have some understanding of HR considerations and financial reports. I hope to contribute what I can from the start but also expand on my knowledge as much as possible to benefit the Board. I use Word and Excel, and other accounting software.”

There are two seats on the Board of Library Trustees appearing on the ballot this year. While Library Trustee Faith Honer-Coakley has yet to announce whether she is running for re-election, Library Trustee Richard Mazzola informed the Villager last week that he is not running for re-election in the April Town Election.

“I believe it just might be time for different faces and different ideas that could diversify and hybridize how we approach our challenges,” said Mazzola. “I am and have always been an advocate of term limits nationally, statewide as well as locally.”   

Town Moderator Steve Walsh took out papers on Tuesday, Jan. 7, and is running for a second one-year term. He was elected as town moderator during the April 2024 Town Election, and succeeded former Town Moderator Joe Markey.

Board of Assessors member Richard O’Neil Jr. pulled nomination papers on Friday, Jan. 10, and is looking to serve another three-year term.

Three incumbents have also pulled papers and are running for re-election in the April 8 Town Election.

Select Board Chair Dick Dalton took out papers on Thursday, Jan. 2. He is running for a fourth three-year term.

School Committee Chair Kristen Grieco Elworthy and School Committee Vice Chair Jenny Sheehan pulled papers on Jan. 2 and Dec. 30 respectively, and are running for full three-year terms. Elworthy and Sheehan were both elected to one-year terms on the school board in the April 2024 Town Election.

There are two other offices appearing on the ballot.

Planning Board member Ed Champy will be able to run for a second five-year term.

Housing Authority Board of Commissioners member John Nunziato is eligible to run for a second five-year term in the April Town Election.

Town Clerk Amanda Haggstrom stated in the candidates’ guide for the Town Election that office hopefuls will need to receive a minimum of 50 signatures from registered voters in order to have their name appear on the ballot.

“Be sure to submit more than the required number, 50, for certification so you do not fall short in the event of signatures not certified,” Haggstrom stated. “All signatures and addresses must be legible and written substantially as registered. If the voter’s signature is illegible, you may ask them to print their name next to the signature. The law allows a voter to insert or omit a middle name or initial and still have the signature deemed valid.”

The last day to submit nomination papers is Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. The last day for candidates to have their name removed from the municipal ballot is Thursday, March 6 at 5 p.m.

Due to the $63.5 million public safety buildings and Town Hall project, the Town Clerk’s Office has been relocated to the Senior Center/Lynnfield Public Schools Central Office, 525 Salem St. The Town Election will take place on Tuesday, April 8.

For more information about the April Town Election, residents can visit https://www.town.lynnfield.ma.us/town-clerk/pages/running-office-lynnfield.

“Our office is here to assist you as you navigate the local election process,” Haggstrom wrote on the town clerk’s website.