ADAMS -- The town is looking for volunteers to step up and get their names on the ballot as candidates in May's fast-approaching town election.
Town Clerk Haley Meczywor says numerous Town Meeting slots are available in addition to openings on the Board of Health, Cemetery Commission, Adams Housing Authority and the Redevelopment Authority.
"It's time to get papers in," Meczywor said Tuesday. "We still have quite a few open positions so call [Town Hall] and we'll be more than happy to answer questions."
Many Town Meeting members decided not to re-up this year, leading to openings in all precincts. The town is particularly in need of volunteers in this department, Meczywor said.
The deadline for nomination papers is 5 p.m. on Monday, March 18.
There's been a shake up in those who've decided to throw their hats in the ring for town office.
Selectman Scott Nichols, who'd taken out papers and said he was seeking reelection, has decided to step down.
Nichols recently put in for moderator instead. He said Tuesday that professional commitments would have prevented his ability "to give the people what they deserve" on the Select Board.
But, Nichols added, he wants to continue on in some capacity.
"I really wanted to stay involved," Nichols said Tuesday.
Nichols is Director of Athletics at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He was a Springfield College parliamentarian and is no stranger
"I feel pretty comfortable in that role," Nichols said.
Meanwhile, Donald Sommer, who had taken out papers for moderator, is now a Selectmen's candidate.
"There was a whole bunch of stuff I was working on when I was on the board three years ago that I'd like to pick back up," Sommer said Tuesday.
Sommer said his family has agreed to take on additional responsibilities in his restaurant and real estate businesses "so that I will have time to properly devote myself to the job."
A former Selectman of upward of a decade, Sommer said he used to spend four to five hours planning for meetings.
"It's a lot more than a few meetings a month," he said.
Edward Driscoll, another veteran town politician, is also running for moderator.
"I'm someone who can run a meeting," Driscoll said Tuesday. "I've been Chair of the Select Board three times and have the best interest of the town at heart. ... I want to make sure everybody gets a fair chance to voice their opinion."
Driscoll said another crucial responsibility of the moderator is to appoint members of the Finance Committee. Also being a veteran of that committee, Driscoll thinks he's a fit for the job.
"I would appoint a good cross section of the town," he said.
Driscoll referred to the flip-flopping of Sommer and Nichols' candidacies as "back room opportunism."
Other candidates who've submitted papers for two openings on the Select Board include Richard Blanchard, Michael Young and Joseph Novak.
To reach Phil Demers,
email pdemers@thetranscript.com.
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