By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — Two more incumbents have pulled their nomination papers for the May 2 Town Election, Select Board member Vincenzo Stuto and Community Planning Commissioner Christopher Hayden. Both men currently serve as the vice chair of their respective boards.
Stuto, of 122 Elm St., is seeking his second consecutive three-year term on the Select Board. Hayden, of 20 Swan Pond Rd., has served on the CPC since the mid 1990s.
School Committee Chair Scott T. Buckley, 5 Alden St., was the first to take out nomination papers. This year only one seat on each of the five-member elected boards is up for re-election. Also on the ballot is the one-year team for Town Moderator, a position held by incumbent John J. Murphy, 13 Duane Dr., for 17 years.
A minimum of 50 certified signatures of registered voters who reside in town must be turned in with the nomination papers for a candidate to get on the ballot. It is always recommended that candidates obtain more than the minimum number of signatures in case some cannot be certified by the Town Clerk’s Office. The deadline to submit papers to the Town Clerk’s Office is Tuesday, March 14 at 5 p.m. and the office will remain open one hour later that day.
Nomination papers and candidates’ packets can be picked up at the Town Clerk’s Office in Town Hall, 235 North St., during normal business hours, Mondays–Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., states Town Clerk Susan Duplin. Those with any questions on the Town Election process may call her office at 978-357-5218 or visit the Town Clerk’s page on the town website at northreadingma.gov.
The positions on the ballot in 2023 are:
SELECT BOARD
One three-year term. The incumbent up for re-election this year is Vice Chair Vincenzo Stuto, 122 Elm St.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
One three-year term. Incumbent School Committee Chair Scott T. Buckley, 5 Alden St., pulled papers on January 17.
COMMUNITY PLANNING COMMISSION
One three-year term. The incumbent is current Vice Chair Christopher B. Hayden, 20 Swan Pond Rd.
TOWN MODERATOR
One one-year term. The incumbent is John J. Murphy, 13 Duane Dr.