Published March 14, 2019

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — On Monday, a new candidate took out nomination papers for the last uncontested seat in the 2019 town election.

David Rudloff of 29 Duane Drive is seeking nomination to run for the Community Planning Commission (CPC) seat vacated in late January by Jonathan Cody, who has moved from town.

Rudloff was one of four residents who had submitted a letter of interest or resume to the town when a joint appointment by the CPC and Select Board for Cody’s unexpired term was still on the table. But since the tenure would have only been for few weeks the boards opted to leave it vacant and encourage the candidates to run for the full term instead..

With five days remaining for all candidates to return their signed nomination papers for certification by the Town Clerk’s office, it’s now possible that there will be at least one candidate for every available position in the May 7 annual election if they make the 5 p.m. deadline on Tuesday March 19.

According to Town Clerk Barbara Stats, candidates have begun to return their nomination papers. Housing Authority incumbent Jim DeCola and Select Board hopeful Rich Wallner both returned their papers this week. Stats emphasized that the signatures had not yet been certified as of press time.

In order to get one’s name on the town election ballot candidates must obtain the signatures of at least 50 registered voters who reside in North Reading.

Once a candidate is certified as eligible to run for an elective office, the last day that candidate can choose to withdraw his or her name from the ballot is Thursday, April 4 at 5 p.m.

The last day a resident of the town can register to vote to participate in the May 7 annual town election is Wednesday, April 17 at 8 p.m.

The potential ballot is shaping up like this:

• Select Board: Andrew J. Lee, Liane Gonzalez, Rich Wallner

• School Committee: Incumbent Chairwoman Janene Imbriano, Tracy DeGregorio and Chris Pappavaselio

• Community Planning Commission: Incumbent Chairman Warren Pearce, David Rudloff.

• Town Moderator: incumbent John Murphy

• Housing Authority: incumbent James DeCola

Not seeking re-election are Select Board incumbents Mike Prisco and Bob Mauceri; School Committeeman Mel Webster and CPC member Jonathan Cody.

Candidates for any municipal office are required to file campaign finance reports on specific dates per the provisions of Mass. General Laws Chapter 55. Those with questions about this process may contact the state’s Office of Campaign and Political Finance for assistance by phone: 617-727-8352, email: ocpf@cpf.state.ma.us or visit the website at www.mass.gov/ocpf.

For additional assistance the public may also call the Town Clerk’s office at 978-357-5218.