ADAMS, Mass. — Five candidates are vying for two seats on the Board of Selectmen and five open seats on other boards have no candidates.
At Monday's deadline for nomination papers, the five candidates that had returned papers were incumbent Arthur "Skip" Harrington, former Selectman Edward Driscoll, and newcomers Richard Blanchard, John Duval and Jeremy Halek. Two others, Donald Sommer and Anthony Coty, had taken out papers but did not return them.
The only other race is for moderator. Incumbent Joseph R. Dean Jr. is being challenged by Ryan Biros.
Five elected positions do not have candidates.
Parks Commissioner Aimee Sinopoli will not be running again and the board was already one position short. Of three open positions on that board, only incumbent James Fassell returned nomination papers.
Two seats on the Redevelopment Authority — five-year and a two-year — also have no candidates. Incumbent Joseph Allard will not seek re-election, which adds to an already vacant position.
Additionally, Cemetery Commissioner Robert Ciempa is not seeking re-election, creating a vacancy there.
For all other posts, only the incumbents returned election papers. The full list is available below.
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Editor: He should not have been listed as a newcomer. Thanks, we've changed it. I Agree (2) - I Disagree (0)
Electing Ed Driscoll would be a step back. Adams is moving forward and Ed seems in general to be an opponent to everything. For that alone he should not be elected. It's good to be thoughful, challenging, and to ask questions, but there has to be a positive purpose. Ed lacks that. He may have had it once, but he's changed. Adams has changed. Voting for Ed won't help Adams.
So, if Ed gets on the board again, is Paula going to resign? Last I heard, they are a couple. That could make things really ugly. Don't need a "husband and wife team" on the board, no thank you.
I was unaware there were so many vacant or spots without candidates. Can someone tell me what will happen to those spots? Is there still time to volunteer to fill a vacancy?
Editor: Someone can run a write-in or sticker campaign for the offices. After that, the seats may be filled, or not, according to the town charter. I Agree (4) - I Disagree (0)
If he really resigned mid-term before, why vote for him now....He may only quit on Adams again!
I think that Ed is a good choice. He knows the system - he has been involved. He has knowledge that the other selectmen don\'t have because he served for years on the board. Ed is by far the most qualified person running.
Lets not forget Ed Driscoll was part of the board that made the secret deal with a former Town Administrator that cost the town well over one hundred thousand dollars. He doesn't deserve to return back to the board especially with his pal Paula.
The cities of Pittsfield and North Adams will hold municipal elections for mayor, city council and school committee in 2015
You may vote absentee: if you will be absent from your town or city on election day, have a physical disability that prevents you from voting at the polls or cannot vote at the polls because to religious beliefs.