January 26, 2021 by Carol Britton Meyer
There's plenty of town election season excitement this year, with three potential races -- town clerk, selectman, and the municipal light board -- already.
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. The town election is Saturday, May 1.
Most recently, Carol Falvey took out nomination papers for town clerk and John Stoddard, Jr. for his seat on the light board.
There's a potential four-way selectman 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.
Laura Marwill, Libby Lewiecki, and Falvey pulled papers for Eileen McCracken's town clerk position. McCracken is retiring when her term ends this year. Lewiecki is currently a school committee member.
Laura Burns also took out nomination papers for Stoddard's seat and has returned them. His current term expires this year.
The following have also picked up nomination 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.
*Johanna Burwell for board of health. Peter Bickford's term on the board expires this year.
*Carlton M. ("Al") Chambers for another term on the board of assessors.
Candidate comments:
* Laura Burns: “Residents are very happy with the rates and the service provided by Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant, and job number one is to keep it that way. To deliver great service at a reasonable price is an impressive achievement, and I’m dedicated to maintaining that success. The complexion of the U.S. energy market is changing rapidly, as is the way we use energy in our homes and businesses. As the nation’s energy market turns toward renewable sources, the light plant faces significant changes in the next few years. With good planning, we can capitalize on those changes and meet the energy needs of our future.”
* Carlton M. ("Al") Chambers -- "I retired from finance (banking and securities). The proper assessment of values both residential and commercial are an important part of determining the tax base. There are more than 7,000 properties in Hingham that are reviewed on a constant basis. This function dates to the Boston Tea Party (in which many Hingham patriots participated.) The point was made that no taxation could be fairly established without representation. It is the elected assessors' job to represent the citizens accurately and I look forward to continuing in this role."
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. 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.
Other incumbents with terms expiring this year include Robert Higgins, sewer commission, and Bruce Thompson, recreation commission.
Watch for updates.