THE NEXT ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION WILL BE MARCH 1, 2011
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 |
2011 seats to be elected
|
TOWN MEETING |
240 members |
2011 seats to be elected
|
Board of Assessors |
3 |
1 Three year |
Precinct A |
33 |
TBA |
Board of Health |
3 |
1 Three year |
Precinct B |
36 |
TBA |
Board of Public Works |
3 |
1 Three year |
Precinct C |
36 |
TBA |
Board of Selectmen |
5 |
1 Three year |
Precinct D |
33 |
TBA |
Housing Authority |
5 |
1 Five Year |
Precinct E |
33 |
TBA |
Library Trustees |
6 |
2 Three year |
Precinct F |
36 |
TBA |
Moderator |
1 |
1 One year |
Precinct G |
33 |
TBA |
Natural Resources Commission |
5 |
1 Three Year |
|
|
|
Planning Board |
5 |
1 Five year |
|
|
|
Recreation Commission |
5 |
2 Three year |
|
|
|
School Committee |
5 |
1 Three year |
|
|
|
Town Clerk |
1 |
none |
|
|
|
LOCAL ELECTION CALENDAR for 2011 TBA- OCTOBER 2010
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. Generally these forms are available 90 days prior to the Annual Town Election. (December 1, 2009 for the 2010 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 8 2010, 5:00 p.m.
5. Papers must be returned to the Town Clerk for certification no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 12 2010.
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 3 2010 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.mass.gov/ocpf/guides/muni1203.pdf
Town Meeting Members are elected annually at the March Annual Town Election to staggered three year terms by precinct. Each precinct will elect 11 or 12 members each year (and random unexpired terms). Many Town Meeting members serve multiple terms, however there are usually some seats without incumbents every year.
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 Meeting. A form for this purpose is mailed to all incumbents in late December. The return notice date for the March 2, 2010 Annual Town Election is January 19 2010 5:00 p.m.
New Town Meeting Member candidates must obtain nomination papers. Papers are available from the Town Clerk beginning December 1 2009.
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 2009 and ending January 22, 2010.
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. January 26, 2010.
6. Drawing of names for position on the ballot will be on January 28, 2010 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 19, 2010.
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 2, 2010. 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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