Nomination papers are available for those interested in running for any one of a number of open seats in the Royalston and Petersham town elections.
Royalston residents who would like to take out papers should contact Town Clerk Barbara Richardson at townclerk@royalston-ma.gov. Papers are also available at Whitney Hall in the South Village between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each Wednesday. Candidates must gather signatures of 20 residents, which must be returned to the town clerk by Monday, Feb. 16.
The election is scheduled for Monday, April 6. Voting will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Town Hall.
Municipal positions that will be on the ballot include:
- Selectboard – one 3-year seat
- Assessor – one 3-year seat
- Cemetery Commission – one 3-year-seat
- Board of Health – one 3-year-seat
- Library Trustee – one 3-year seat
- Planning Board – one 5-year seat
- Athol Royalston Regional School Committee – one 3-year seat
- John N. Bartlett Trust Fund – four 1-year seats
Petersham’s Annual Town Election will also take place on Monday, April 6, with voting from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Town Hall. Nomination papers are available at the Town Clerk’s Office Monday evenings between 5:40 p.m. and 7 p.m. or by appointment. Papers must be returned by Thursday, Feb. 19.
The following positions are on the ballot: Moderator, Selectboard, treasurer, Board of Assessors, Board of Health, Mahar Regional School Committee, Petersham School Committee Planning Board [two openings] and Trustees of Public Library. With the exception of the Planning Board, the other openings are for one seat. All seats are three-year terms.
According to bylaws of the Trustees of the Public Library, a member can only hold three terms. Member Keny Byron is completing his term, meaning there will be a vacancy to be filled. The Mahar Regional School Committee seat is currently held by Stephen Hammond, who was appointed. If he so chooses, he must take out papers to run for the two years remaining on the term to which he was appointed.
Candidates need to gather 20 signatures, though incumbents have the option of signing a blanket nomination paper, and so would not need to gather signatures. Incumbent school committee members must sign the blanket nomination paper in Athol and Royalston. At this time, the blanket nomination has been signed by Dana Robinson for treasurer and Lynne Feldman for Petersham School Committee. Incumbents have until Feb. 19 to sign the blanket nomination expressing their intention to run for reelection.
The last day to register to vote in either community is Friday, March 27.