Nomination papers were due at the Town Clerk’s office at 5:00 yesterday afternoon and several key offices are going to be contested. The big surprise is for a seat on the Planning Board. Pete Jackson, the incumbent up for re-election, did not turn in his nomination papers; but two candidates did: Michael Kelly of Whittier Road and Cheryl Tougias of Canton Ave. Both live in Precinct 9 which includes the Governor Stoughton property.

Tougias, an architect and member of the Warrant Committee, narrowly lost when she ran for a seat on the board against Ed Duffy two years ago. Michael Kelly is a relative unknown who was accompanied to Town Hall by Selectman Bob Sweeney to file his papers.

Denis Keohane will be challenging John Michael Shields for a seat on the Board of Selectmen. Keohane is currently on the School Committee and has stated he will leave that seat if elected. John Shields has been a long serving member of the Selectmen.

The race for Town Clerk is also being contested. In addition to Susan Galvin, who currently works in the Clerk’s office, candidates who filed papers include former Selectman Marion McEttrick, Michael Joyce, son of State Senator Brian Joyce, and David Conlin. McEttrick and Joyce have both made formal announcements (Joyce announcement, McEttrick announcement). Ed Duffy, a member of the Planning Board, Steve Cloonan, and Ed Villard had taken out papers but not filed them.

Jim Henderson and William Bennett will vie for a seat on the Board of Assessors. Long serving member Thomas Gunning is not running for re-election.

And it seems there is always a contest for Library Trustee. Last year it was the only seriously contested race. This year will again see competition for an open seat. Incumbent Andrea Gordon is retiring from the board. Newcomers Sheryl Fleitman (Precinct 1) and Herb Voigt (Precinct 2) will be running along with incumbents Brendan McLaughlin and Barbara Mason. There are four candidates for three seats. Ray Czwakiel is also running for a 1 year term. This is the balance of the term for the seat vacated by Ingrid Shaffer. Czwakiel was appointed to the board in a joint session of the Trustees and Board of Selectmen. This seat will be up for re-election to a 3 year term next year.

Note that not all candidates have not officially announced their intent to run and the Town Clerk’s office is in the process of validating the nomination papers.