Town Election Nominations Close On Friday

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 HARWICH – With nominations for the annual town election closing on Friday, the May 19 annual election ballot currently offers few races. 

As of Tuesday the only race on the ballot was among the four candidates seeking the two positions as Brooks Free Library trustees.

The candidates are incumbent trustee Linda Cebula, Lynn Budell, Kathleen Cockcroft and Cynthia Gushee.

Select Board Chair Donald Howell and member Jeffrey Handler have taken out nomination papers for re-election to the two three-year terms on the ballot.

It looks like a year of transition for the Monomoy Regional School Committee. There are two three-year terms on the ballot as well as one one-year term. Incumbent Meredith Henderson, the committee’s current chair, will not be a candidate for re-election, Town Clerk Emily Mitchell said. As of Tuesday, Ryan Clarke, the town’s other school committee incumbent, had yet to take out nomination papers. Two challengers, Kathryn Cutter and Richard Roy, have taken out papers for the seats. Bretten Fortin, who was elected in the beginning of February by a joint vote of the select board and Harwich members of the regional school committee to fill the unexpired term of Bre Rose, has taken out nomination papers for the one-year unexpired term.

 Longtime public servant Allin P. Thompson announced that he will not be a candidate for re-election to the water/wastewater commission. There are two three-year seats up on the commission. As of Tuesday, incumbent John Gough had not taken out nomination papers. However, former select board member Ed McManus and resident Ann Frechette took out nomination papers to run for the commission.

 Incumbent Kimberly Bourgea has taken out nomination papers for another five-year term on the housing authority.

 The last day to take out nomination papers for the annual election is Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m. The last day to submit them for certification by the town clerk is Tuesday, March 31 at 5 p.m. The last day to withdraw from candidacy is Thursday, April 16, and withdrawals must be made in writing.

The last day to apply for a vote by mail or absentee ballot is Tuesday, May 12, and the last day to vote absentee in person is May 18 at noon. The last day to vote early or absentee by mail is election day. Ballots must be received by the 8 p.m. close of the polls on Tuesday, May 19.

 There is another election underway currently by the Town Clerk’s office. Mitchell has created an “I Voted” sticker design contest for the youth of the community. There are three age categories between 5 and 15 years of age.

 An official ballot displaying the sticker finalists’ designs can be found at the town clerk’s office or on the town clerk’s website. There is a voting booth set up outside the town clerk’s office so residents of any age can vote. The winning sticker designs will be handed out to residents casting ballots starting with the annual election. The last day to vote on the designs is April 6, and the winners will be announced on April 13.