Town election update: One official and four potential races make for busy election season

February 15, 2021 by Carol Britton Meyer

It's turning out to be an exciting town election season, with a three-way race for town clerk and four other potential races -- for selectman, municipal light board, board of health, and board of assessors.

It's been an especially busy week for the town clerk's office.

Health board incumbent Peter Bickford pulled papers to run for another term, while Johanna Burwell took out papers for that seat earlier.

Joshua Ross pulled papers for board of assessors today, as did incumbent Carlton M. ("Al") Chambers earlier, seeking re-election. Chambers returned his papers.

Ross said he's "excited for the opportunity to continue to help serve the citizens of Hingham. Throughout my involvement with a variety of town committees and organizations over the years, I understand how all areas must work together to move Hingham forward in the best direction.

"My goal as a member of the board of assessors would be to assist our town in reaching its fullest potential in the coming years as we continue to invest in our schools, senior center, and the new public safety building, while taking into account how we can leverage new commercial and economic development projects in order to benefit the entire Hingham community," Ross said.

There's also a potential light board race between incumbent John Stoddard, Jr. and Laura Burns, who returned her papers.

In addition, there's a potential four-way selectman's race among Jack Manning, Liz Klein, Michelle Larned, and Joseph Kelly for Mary Power's selectman seat. Power is not running for another term. Klein has returned her papers.

This is on top of a confirmed three-way race for retiring Eileen McCracken's town clerk seat among Laura Marwill, Libby Lewiecki, and Carol Falvey.  Lewiecki is currently a school committee member.

Dwight Hartman recently pulled nomination papers for the recreation commission seat currently held by Bruce Thompson, who has not pulled papers.

No one has yet picked up nomination papers for the sewer commission seat currently occupied by Robert Higgins.

A citizen who has taken out nomination papers becomes a candidate once he or she has returned their papers to the town clerk's office and the signatures have been certified.

Nomination papers will be available through March 2 and are due back to the Town Clerk’s Office on Thursday, March 4, by 5 p.m.

The following have also taken out papers:

* Michael Puzo for another term as town moderator (papers returned).

* Incumbent Kerry Ni and Tim Miller-Dempsey (papers returned) for school committee.  Both Ni's and Lewiecki's terms expire this year.

* Incumbent Gary Tondorf-Dick for planning board.

Fifty certified signatures of voters registered in the Town of Hingham are required for a nomination to be valid. Candidates are advised to obtain additional signatures. The Secretary of State’s office recommends 70 signatures.

Check back for updates.

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