THE NEXT ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION WILL BE MARCH 13, 2012
Town Wide Officers and Town Meeting Members are elected to staggered terms annually in March.
The Town Bylaw requires the annual town election to be held the first Tuesday in March.
TOWN WIDE BOARDS |
MEMBERS |
2012 seats to be elected
|
TOWN MEETING |
240 members |
2012 seats to be elected
|
Board of Assessors |
3 |
1 Three year |
Precinct A |
30 |
30 |
Board of Health |
3 |
1 Three year |
Precinct B |
30 |
30 |
Board of Public Works |
3 |
1 Three year |
Precinct C |
30 |
30 |
Board of Selectmen |
5 |
2 Three year |
Precinct D |
30 |
30 |
Housing Authority |
5 |
None to be elected in 2012 |
Precinct E |
30 |
30 |
Library Trustees |
6 |
2 Three year |
Precinct F |
30 |
30 |
Moderator |
1 |
1 One year |
Precinct G |
30 |
30 |
Natural Resources Commission |
5 |
2 Three Year |
Precinct H |
30 |
30 |
Planning Board |
5 |
1 Five year |
|
|
|
Recreation Commission |
5 |
2 Three year |
|
|
|
School Committee |
5 |
2 Three year |
|
|
|
Town Clerk |
1 |
1 Three year |
|
|
|
LOCAL ELECTION CALENDAR for 2012
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANDIDATES FOR TOWN WIDE OFFICE
1. The candidate must be a resident of the Town, and for certain offices a registered voter. Check the by-law if this is an issue.
2. The Candidate must personally obtain Nomination papers from the Town Clerk. These forms are available 90 days prior to the Annual Town Election, December 1, 2011 for the 2012 Annual Town Election. The candidate will supply name, address, phone, email and sign for the papers. This information is public information.
3. Signatures of fifty voters registered in the Town are required (any precinct), although it is recommended that more be obtained.
4. The deadline to “take out papers” is January 20, 2012, 5:00 p.m.
5. Papers must be returned to the Town Clerk for certification no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 24, 2012.
6. Candidates for re-election for Town Wide offices must also obtain signatures, unlike Town Meeting Member candidates.
7. We request the use of your email address for election related messages and for Town Meeting communication if you are elected. This email is intended for the use of the Town Clerk to notify candidates and Town Meeting Members of events or information of interest to them. The list is a public record.
8. Elected candidates must be sworn in by the Town Clerk prior to exercising their office. The Town Clerk will host a group swearing in reception on the evening of March 14, 2012 for all town-wide office holders at the Town Hall.
If the candidate intends to solicit funds or spend money on the campaign a committee must be formed in advance and campaign finance requirements must be followed. Please request a handbook and forms or see state Office of Campaign and Political Finance website for further information http://www.ocpf.net/guides/mun_office_2010.pdf
Town Meeting Members are elected annually at the March Annual Town Election to staggered three year terms by precinct.In 2011 the town new precinct lines were drawn to create eight precincts. In 2012 all 240 seats will be elected, 30 for each precinct. The top 10 vote totals in each precinct will be awarded 3 year terms, the next 10 two year terms and the last 10 one year terms.
Incumbent Town Meeting members are required to file a letter stating their intent to become a candidate for re-election 45 days prior to the Annual Town Election. A form for this purpose is mailed to all incumbents in late December. The return notice date for the March 2012 Annual Town Election is January 31, 2012 5:00 p.m.
New Town Meeting Member candidates must obtain nomination papers. Papers are available from the Town Clerk beginning December 1 2011.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANDIDATES FOR TOWN MEETING
1. In order to be candidate for Town Meeting Member, one must reside in the precinct from which one desires to run.
2. Nomination papers must be obtained in person from the Town Clerk’s Office beginning December 1 2011 and ending February 3, 2012.
3. Ten signatures of registered voters from the precinct are required.
4. It is recommended that each candidate obtain more than the minimum of ten signatures in the event that any of the signatures cannot be certified.
5. The nomination papers must be returned to the Board of Registrars (Town Clerk’s Office) for certification no later than 5:00 p.m. February 7, 2012.
6. Drawing of names for position on the ballot will be on February 8, 2012 at 10:00 am at Town Hall. Candidates are welcome to observe but rarely attend.
7. Any current Town Meeting Member who is running for re-election need only complete and return the notice of intent to run by January 31, 2012.
8. There are no campaign finance reporting requirements for Town Meeting Candidates.
9. We request the use of your email address for election related messages and for Town Meeting communication if you are elected. This email is intended for the use of the Town Clerk to notify candidates and Town Meeting Members of events or information of interest to them. The list is a public record.
10. The Election is March 13, 2012. Polls open 7 am – 8 pm.
11. Town Meeting is currently expected to begin the last Monday of March and continue weekly until the business is completed.
12. Elected Candidates will be invited to attend an orientation meeting with the Moderator, usually the week prior to the beginning of Town Meeting.
13. Elected candidates will be sworn into office at the first night of the Annual Town Meeting.
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