Bellingham, here’s your chance to meet the candidates
Two forums in April
BELLINGHAM — Town voters will have the opportunity to meet the candidates for town election at two candidate forums slated for April.
The Bellingham Republican Town Committee is sponsoring its third annual non-partisan candidates’ forum Monday, April 10, at 7 p.m. in the Arcand Room at the Municipal Center. All candidates are invited and the forum is open to the public.
On Thursday, April 20, a Candidates’ Day will be held at the Bellingham Senior Center at 11:30 a.m. That even includes a catered luncheon by the Coachman Lodge. Pre-registration is required no later than April 15 by visiting the Senior Center in person or by calling 508-966-0398.
Voters go to the polls May 2 to decide three potential election races, including contests for Board of Selectmen, School Committee and Planning Board.
Thursday was the final day for candidates to file their nomination papers in order to be placed on the ballot.
There are three candidates running for two available threeyear seats on the Board of Selectmen, including incumbent Selectmen Donald Martins and Michael Soter and candidate Stuart LeClaire. A third candidate, Joseph Fleuette III, took out nomination papers, but did not return them.
There are two candidates for two one-year, unexpired terms on the board, which were left vacant by the resignation of
Michael Connor and the death of Jerald Mayhew. The two candidates are Connor, who is seeking to return to the board, and Cynthia McNulty. A third candidate, Linda Glassey, had taken out papers, but did not return them.
Connor resigned last year to avoid a conflict of interest after he took a position as Bellingham High School's athletic director. Connor is now eligible to run for selectmen now that voters are aware of his job with the School Department.
In the School Committee race, two candidates are vying for one three-year seat on the committee, including Lori Columbo and Francis Cartier, a former member of the committee.
The third race on the ballot is a two-candidate contest for a three-year seat on the
Planning Board between incumbent William O'Connell Jr. and challenger James Dunlea.
There are also two candidates – Laura Howard and Rebekah Tracy – seeking two seats on the Library Board of Trustees.
The annual town election will take place Tuesday, May 2. The rest of the town official election calendar is as follows:
•Tuesday, March 28: Last day to submit nomination papers to town clerk (by Board of Registrars). •Thursday, March 30: Last day to withdraw and or object to nomination papers. •Wednesday, April 12: Last day to register to vote in the annual town election.
•Tuesday, May 2: Annual town election. •Friday, May 12: Last day to file a recount petition. Follow Joseph Fitzgerald on Twitter @jofitz7