Town Elections Heat Up; Potential Exists for Five Contested Races; Vacant School Committee Seat to be Contested
After several years of apparent lack of interest, the 2014 Town Elections have quietly become the focus of strong interest in town governance. With slightly more than two weeks remaining in the nominating process, there are potential contested races for five town elective town offices including the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Water Commissioner, Light Commissioner and Parks Commission. Not all candidates who have taken out nomination papers have returned them but they have until April 1 to return them with signatures to the Town Clerk's Office.
During the past week, interest has grown in the one school committee seat open for election this year. Incumbent Jon Sjoberg indicated he will not seek reelection to his seat and at press time three candidates have out nomination papers to fill the position. The three candidates who have taken out nomination papers are Gina Cronin of Gilson Rd., Jeffrey Kubick of Boston Rd. and Brian LeBlanc of Integrity Way. Candidates Jeffrey Kubick and Brian LeBlanc have returned their nomination papers. Gina Croin has not her returned her papers.
Two seats open for election on the Parks Commission may also be contested as both incumbents and on challenger have taken out nomination papers. Incumbent Park Commissioners Gineane Heberlin and Jon Strauss have taken out nomination papers and will seek reelection to their respective seats. Challenger Matthew Tracy has also taken out nomination papers. With three candidates seeking election to two seats, the candidates receiving the two highest vote totals will win election.
Other major town offices which could see contested races this year include the Board of Selectmen, Light Commissioner and Water Commissioner. On the Board of Selectmen, there are two positions open for election this year and four candidates have taken out nomination papers for those seats. Incumbents Peter Cunningham and Anna Eliot have taken out nomination papers and will seek reelection to their seats. They will be challenged by two other candidates: Barry Pease and Shane Grant. Cunningham, Eliot and Pease have returned their nomination papers while Grant has not yet returned his nomination papers. With four candidates seeking election to two seats, the two candidates receiving the highest vote totals wins election.
Other contested races this year include one position on the Electric Light Commission and one position on the Water Commission. On the Light Commission, incumbent Chris Christie will not seek reelection to his position and two candidates have taken out nomination papers for his seat. Those two candidates are Olin Lathrop and Bruce Easom. Both candidates have returned their nomination papers. On the Water Commission, incumbent James Gmeiner has taken out nomination papers to seek reelection to his seat. He will be challenged by Selectmen member Josh Degen who has also taken out nomination papers for the position held by Gmeiner. Both candidates have returned their nomination papers.
Residents interested in seeking election to town offices may take out nomination papers from the Town Clerk's office and return them by April 1 with the signatures of 49 registered voters in town. Town Elections are part of the Town Meting process and will be held on May 20 A list of offices open for election can be found on the Town Clerk's web site: townclerk@townofgroton.org. Residents may also call the Town Clerk's Office at 978-448-1100 for more information.
