Citizens nominate Baker to run for the board

Former Selectman Preston Baker is going to try to return to the board after a two year absence, and will face Kenneth Burstall.

Baker decided not to run for re-election in 2005 after 19 years on the Board of Selectmen. He will be facing off against Burstall, a long-time member of the town's Advisory Board, who vied for the nomination at town caucus.

The town caucus held on Monday, Feb. 12, is an annual tradition to help ensure that there is a person running for each of the seats open in the town election.

Selectman Lorraine Emerson, whose term expires in April, decided she was not going to run for a third term. She said she wants to spend more time with her f a m i l y for a few years.

Ba k e r is currently serving as interim Highway Su pe r i nt e n d e n t

and is a membe r of the De p a r t - ment of P u b l i c Works.

Anyone who was not nominated at the caucus and wants to run for any of the open positions may take out nomination papers from the town clerk's office until 1 p.m. on Friday, March 2. The papers must be returned with a minimum of 32 signatures by Tuesday, March 6.

The annual town election to vote for the candidates will be held on Tuesday, April 24 at Westminster Elementary School.

Resident Roy Urban was nominated for one of the open seats on the planning board incumbent M. Donald Barry was not at the town caucus.

Incumbent Stephen Tremblay was nominated for the second seat on the planning board that will be open at this year's town election.

Steven L. Couture and Robert Cudak were nominated to run for the two constable positions. Couture will seek election for the one-year term, after a seat was opened after the death of Roger Hales.

Walter C. Taylor and Peter F. Yraola, each accepted nominations for two seats on the Housing Authority.

All of the incumbents, who sought nominations, were nominated to their respective seats. Edward J. Simoncini Jr. and Peter Munro were nominated for the two seats on the Board of Health, Robin L. Holm for the Board of Assessor, Dana Altobelli and Beth A. Donfro for two seats on the Forbush Memorial Library Board of Trustees, Richard W. Ahlin for Hager Park Commission, and Shawn O'Leary for Cemetery Commission.