Bellingham voters to decide 3 potential election races

Races for Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Planning Board

BELLINGHAM — 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 three-year 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 threeyear 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.

The Annual Town Meeting this year will be held Wednesday, May 24, and the Special Town Meeting will be held October on a date to be determined.