The Milton election season just became a lot more interesting. Denis Keohane, current Vice-chair of the School Committee, has taken out nomination papers to be a candidate for the Board of Selectmen. Assuming he obtains the requisite number of signatures, he will be challenging the incumbent, John Michael Shields.

Keohane cites his experience as a business owner and real estate developement as an important qualification for office as the town faces a number of property development issues including but not limited to the ongoing negotiations regarding the Governor Stoughton property and a proposed 40B development on Randolph Avenue. “These issues will undoubtedly shape the future of the town. We need to make sure that decisions are made carefully and with expertise, and that is what I will bring to the Board of Selectmen. Milton can greatly benefit from the experience I am offering at this critical juncture.”

Keohane, who immigrated from Ireland in 1988, has lived in town for close to twenty years with his wife Mary and three daughters, all students at the Milton Public Schools.

Mr. Shields, reached for comment, said, “I honestly have been so busy  carrying out the responsibilities of the office, that I haven’t really concentrated on the election. We have a number of issues we are working on, and it takes time to work them through. I am sure when the election gets near, the voters will hear more from me concerning issues that they care about.”

Candidates need to file their nomination papers by March 6th @ 5:00PM in order to appear on ballot.