Three-way race for town administrator in North Smithfield

NORTH SMITHFIELD – Town Council President Robert P. Boucher, former School Committeeman and Planning Board member Gary Ezovski, and political newcomer Michael A. Amalfitano have announced their intent to run for North Smithfield town administrator.

The window to file for candidacy in the November general election closed at 4 p.m. Wednesday with a total of 23 people in North Smithfield declaring their candidacies for local and state offices.

Boucher is a 1970 graduate of North Smithfield High School, he attended the University of Rhode Island and Johnson and Wales. He works for Valley Cab Company. Besides his stint on the council, he has served as a state representative of District 48.

Ezovski has served as a member of the School Committee, Sewer Commission, Water Authority, Planning Board, and Fire Study Commission.

He received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Rhode Island and is president of Smithfield-based Lincoln Environmental.

Ezovski was the independent candidate for the House District 48 seat in 2008, but was defeated.

Filing declaration papers this week for Town Council were incumbent Town Councilmen Paul Zwolenski and Anthony Soley, and candidates Daniel C. Halloran, Lucien E. Benoit, Paul M. Jones, John A.

Beauregard, Claire V. O’Hara, Jennifer L. Fox, Daniel O’Brien and Michael Clifford.

Both Halloran and Benoit are former members of the Town Council, and Clifford is a member of the School Committee and chairman of the Budget Committee.

George Hemond had filed declaration papers for Town Council, but later withdrew them. Hemond is the former member of the School Committee who ran against Town Administrator Paulette D. Hamilton in 2012. Hamilton, who has held that position since 2008, has announced that she will not be running for another term in November.

Incumbent School Committee members John Raymond, William Connell, James J. Lombardi III and Liane M. Jalette filed declaration papers this week for School Committee, as did former School Committeewoman Christine A. Bonas, and newcomers Frances Johannes, Margaret Votta, Joseph Murray Jr., and Jean B. Meo.

State Rep. Brian C. Newberry also filed papers for re-election to the Dist. 48 North Smithfield, Burrillville House seat.