With nomination papers available since Monday, election season is officially underway in Marblehead.
Those interested in running for office — first-timers and veterans alike — can secure nomination papers from the Town Clerk’s office to get on the ballot for the annual election on June 20. In order to do so, candidates must fill out a form before collecting at least 50 signatures from registered voters and submitting those to the clerk’s office.
Nomination papers must be returned by May 1 at 5 p.m.
During the election, dozens of positions across the boards and commissions that comprise the town’s municipal government will be voted on. — including all five Select Board seats and two School Committee posts.
On the Select Board, incumbents Moses Grader, Jackie Belf-Becker, Erin Noonan, Jim Nye, and Alexa Singer are all up for re-election. Meanwhile, the terms of School Committee members Sarah Gold and Thomas Mathers both expire in June. Mathers, who was appointed to the committee in January following the resignation of Vice Chair Emily Barron, has publicly said he does not intend to seek reeelection.
The Select Board serves as the town’s chief executive, and is responsible for guiding policy and overseeing the town administrator. The School Committee governs the School Department and oversees the superintendent.
The terms of both Town Moderator Jack Attridge and Town Clerk Robin Michaud also expire in June. Attridge is in his first one-year term as moderator, while Michaud is a veteran of the clerk’s office. Attridge is responsible for overseeing Town Meeting as moderator, while Michaud is responsible for running the town’s elections, among other administrative functions.
Board of Assessors Chairman John Kelley is also up for re-election after a three-year term. Assessors are responsible for determining property values across town alongside Town Assessor Karen Bertolino.
On the Cemetery Commission, incumbent Pam Peterson’s term expires in June. The commission serves as the governing body of the town’s public cemeteries and members serve staggered three-year terms.
The Board of Health, responsible for overseeing the Health Department and maintaining public health guidelines and regulations, has one position expiring this June. Chair Todd Belf-Becker’s term expires and members serve staggered three-year terms.
One unexpired term is available on the Housing Authority following Joan Cutler’s resignation in September 2022. Cutler’s term is set to run through 2025. The Housing Authority is a quasi-governmental agency that oversees public housing in town.
Two posts on the Abbot Public Library Board of Trustees are set to come up for reelection in June — those of Chair Gary Amberik and member Ann McGreevy. The Board serves as “the link between the Library and the community,” according to the town’s website, and is responsible for overseeing the library director, establishing policy and plans, and determining the final budget.
Voters could also elect a pair of new Marblehead Municipal Light commissioners, with incumbent Lisa Wolf’s term expiring this year and Karl A. Johnson’s unexpired term, which lasts through 2024, still vacant. Commissioners govern the Municipal Light Department, essentially a town-owned electric company.
Two seats on the Planning Board are set to expire in June — those of incumbents Rossana Ferrante and Robert Schaeffner. The board is responsible for evaluating nearly all proposals for development in town, including all new nonresidential buildings over 700 square feet and all new residential construction and additions that are over 500 square feet within the shoreline and harbor front districts.
Members of the Recreation and Park Commission serve one-year terms, meaning all five of the commission’s members will see their terms expire in June. Those members — Linda Rice Collins, Karin Ernst, Matthew Martin, Derek Norcross, and Rossana Ferrante — appoint a superintendent to oversee the day-to-day operations of the parks and are responsible for guiding their direction.
On the Water and Sewer Commission, the terms of both Thomas Carroll and Barton Hyte are set to expire this year. The commission works alongside the Water and Sewer Department to provide water and sewer services to residents, oversees the department’s budget, and helps set rates.
A request sent to the town clerk’s office for the names of residents who had pulled nomination papers as of Wednesday morning was not returned.