Days after the majority of the Select Board surprised the town by announcing they’re leaving, a new slate of candidates is quickly taking shape.
Former Select Board member Ken Coyle, former Health Agent Marty Golightly, former Finance Committee Chairman Daniel Eddy, current Water Commission Chairman William Cormier, resident Jane Matiyosus, and past School Committee Chairwoman Wendy Happel have already taken out nomination papers indicating their interest in seats on the town’s executive board.
“I’m all in,” Cormier told Abington News. “We need some common sense leadership.”
Cormier and Coyle have taken out papers to fill the unfinished term being left by current Board Chair Roger Woods, who announced he will be resigning on April 24.
Eddy, Golightly, Matiyosus, and Happel have taken out papers to run for the three-year seats. Current board members Suzanne Djusberg and Kevin Donovan also announced last week they won’t seek reelection.
Eddy said he was “101% committed to running.”
Taking out nomination papers does not mean a candidate will ultimately appear on the Annual Town Election ballot. Candidates still need to submit certified signatures from 50 registered voters to the Town Clerk by March 9 at 5 p.m.
The Annual Town Election this year is on April 25. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Voters will be asked to return to the polls on May 16 to consider a Proposition 2 1/2 override to avoid layoffs and service cuts. The current Select Board and Town Manager have not yet determined how much the requested tax hike will be.
Elsewhere on the ballot, School Committee Chairman Chris Coyle has taken out papers to run for a fourth term. Fellow committee member Melanie Whitney is interested in running for a second term.
Town Clerk Leanne Adams is also looking for reelection, as is Moderator Shawn Reilly, Health Board member Carol Dolan, Assessor Lawrence Keough, Water Commissioner Amanda Hunter, and library trustees Susan Crowley and Barbara McLoughlin.