NEWS: Contested Races Shaping Up For Selectmen, Water Commissioner, Electric Light Commissioner
Town Elections this year are generating a lot of interest as a number of residents have taken out nomination papers for several town boards.
Approximately half-way through the nomination period for filing papers for elective town offices, contested races are shaping up on three different boards. At press time, those three potential contests include two seats on the Board of Selectmen, one seat on the Water Commission and one seat on the Light Commission. In addition, a new candidate has taken out nomination papers for the one three-year position open for election on the School Committee. Incumbent School Committee member Jon Sjoberg has indicated he will not seek reelection to his seat on the School Committee.
For the Board of Selectmen, both incumbents - Peter Cunningham and Anna Eliot have taken out nomination papers to seek reelection to their positions. Both of those seats carry three-year terms. Challenging Cunningham and Eliot will be two new candidates: Barry A. Pease of Island Pond Rd. in the Lost Lake section of Groton and Shane Grant of Main St. With four candidates seeking election to two positions, the candidates who receive the two highest vote totals win election.
On the Electric Light Commission, two new candidates have taken out nomination papers for the position now held by Chris Christie. Christie has not taken out nomination papers and is not expected to seek reelection to his seat. The two candidates who will be seeking election to Christe's seat are Olin Lathrop of Sunset Rd. and Bruce Easom of Martin's Pond Rd.
On the Water Commission, Selectmen member Josh Degen will be challenging incumbent James Gmeiner for his seat. Both candidates have taken out nomination papers and returned them. This race appears to have developed following controversy over a proposal to use the chemical Sonar to control weeds on the shores of Baddacook Pond.
On the Groton-Dunstable School Committee, incumbent member Jon Sjoberg will not be seeking reelection to his position. To date, one candidate, Gina Cronin of Gilson Rd. has taken out nomination papers for the three-year seat. Cronin has not yet returned her nomination papers.
The one major Board which to date has no one interested is Groton's Planning Board. Two, three-year positions on the Planning Board are open for election and no one has taken out nomination papers for those seats. Incumbents John Parent and Scott Wilson have not yet taken out nomination papers to seek reelection and no new candidates have taken out nomination papers.
The nomination period for elective town offices ends April 1. Residents interested in seeking elective town offices my take out nomination papers from the Town Clerk's office and return them with the signatures of 49 registered voters to appear on the ballot. Town Elections are held May 20 and are part of the town meting process.
