ADAMS -- Nomination forms for the May 6 town election are now available and all potential candidates have until 5 p.m. on March 18 to submit their paperwork.
The election could gain the town a new moderator and assessor, one- and three-year terms, respectively, and fill vacancies on the Select Board, Redevelopment Authority and Adams-Cheshire Regional School District (ACRSD) Committee.
"I would love a great turnout, but with a primary election a week before, we’ll have to see what happens," Town Clerk Haley Meczywor said this week.
The state’s second primary in as many years falls on April 30 in the contest to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated because of John Kerry’s rise to secretary of state in President Obama’s cabinet.
On the Democrats’ side, state Rep. Ed Markey has confirmed his run and U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch is expected to follow suit.
No Republican contenders have yet stepped up, but former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, former lieutenant governor Kerry Healey and Richard Tisei of Somerville have publicly tinkered with the idea.
"All these little towns are going to be busy this year," Meczywor said.
For the town election, several hats are already in the ring.
Veteran public servant Donald Sommer is among them, running for a one-year term as moderator.
"I’ve served the town in various capacities -- as chair of the Redevelopment Authority, the Finance Committee
He added, "I think I’m ready to do the job and be fair and even-handed, so I’m offering myself to the town as moderator, following up on the term of my friend Joe Dean."
Joseph Dean, another of the town’s long-time civic leaders, died in December before the end of his term as moderator at the age of 76.
Despite being ill at the time, he presided over the annual town meeting in June 2012. The town has been without a moderator since then.
Michael Young, of Elm Street, has taken out papers to run for a three-year term on the Select Board.
One seat is vacant after former Selectwoman Paula Melville resigned in May of 2012, and Selectmen Scott Nichols’ term is up, leaving another opening.
Nichols expressed his intention to run again Wednesday.
"I think we have a lot of good things happening in town and I want to do my part to see that progress continue," Nichols said.
Nichols said he’s anticipating the town’s strategic planning process scheduled in March and helping to plan Memorial School’s future.
Other hopefuls include Holly Denault, who plans to pursue another three-year term as treasurer, and Karen L. Kettles likewise wants another three-year go as an Adams Free Library trustee. Elizabeth Bushy has volunteered to fill the Redevelopment Authority’s vacant slot for a term of five years.
The ACRSD Committee requires a Cheshire candidate and the district has advertised seeking the right person to fill the role for three years.
Town Meeting members have until March 11 at 5 p.m. to notify Meczywor of their candidacy for re-election. All necessary papers are available at Town Hall.
To reach Phil Demers, email
pdemers@thetranscript.com.
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