Election 2000 begins
Published on January 5th, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - Hopeful pols are pulling nomination papers, and sprouting campaign signs will soon replace light-up, lawn Santas; election season is here again.
Two spots on the Board of Selectmen are up for grabs. Incumbents Cosmo M. Ciccarello and Anthony C. Kennedy must defend their seats in the April 2000 Town Election. Ciccarello pulled papers on Dec. 27. Challenger Robert Sweeney of 6 Pleasant St. has pulled papers, hoping to win a three-year term on the five-person board.
Candidates for all town offices need 50 signatures of voters registered in Stoneham to get on the ballot. The last day to pull papers is Feb. 11 until 5 p.m. The signatures must be returned to the Town Clerk by 5 p.m. Feb. 15.
Other races in 2000 include one spot on the three-person Board of Assessors. Assessor Chairman Craig J. Celli must compete for reelection if he wants another three-year term.
Two members of the five-person School Committee, Stephen M. Gucciardi and Marie T. Christie, are in the final years of their three-year terms. Gucciardi pulled papers Jan. 4.
Two of the five members on the Planning Board, Stephen R. Catalano and Matthew H. Kilty, are at the end of their five year terms. Catalano pulled papers on Jan. 4.
One of the three members of the Board of Health, Louis D. Golini, is at the end of his three-year term.
One of the four elected officials on the Housing Authority, Vincent L. Orsillo, is at the end of his five-year term.
Challenger Raymond V. Malzone of 3 Gerald Road pulled papers on Dec. 30, indicating his desire to become one of Stoneham's three constables. Constables George Alger, Jr., Robert E. Moriera and Bennie Pasquariello must run if they desire new three-year terms.
Two three-year terms on the six-member Library Board of Trustees are due. Incumbent Frances F. Akell pulled papers on Jan. 3. Jane F. Francis must do the same if she wants another three years.
Stoneham's representative on the Northeast Vocational School Committee, Anthony E. DeTeso, is also at the end of his two-year term.
The last day to register to vote in the April 4 election is March 15.
Watch the Independent for a weekly tally of who's in and who's out of all the local races.
A helpful voting tip:
The Presidential Primary on March 7 is the next election. If voters who are registered as "unenrolled" (formerly "independent") vote in the Presidential Primary, then these voters will be automatically registered in the party of the ballot they chose.
Town Clerk John Hanright suggests that people who wish to retain unenrolled status fill out the necessary form the day of the primary. This will avoid confusion when voting in the Sept. 19 State Primary.
"We have four elections this year (Presidential Primary-March 7, Town Election-April 4, State Primary-Sept. 19, General Election-Nov. 17)," Hanright said. "I hope this activity increases turn-out for all elections."
The last Town Election drew less than 20 percent of Stoneham's 15,000 registered voters.
Duties and responsibilities
Stoneham election officials will listen to a presentation on the duties and responsibilities of election officials given by Harry Petrucci of the Secretary of State's Office of Elections Division on Jan. 20 at the Town Hall.
"In this busy election year, I want to make sure that our elections run smoothly," Hanright said.
Hanright, everyone in his office and all election workers from the precincts will attend the talk. Hanright has even extended the invitation to election officials in surrounding communities.
Census forms are in the mail
Town Census forms are in the mail.
"I urge people to open the envelopes and check the information," Hanright said. "The accuracy of town records depends on it."
Hanright asks citizens to return the completed forms as soon as possible.
A second census, the federal Census 2000, will be mailed on April 1. The accuracy of this census will affect how much money Stoneham receives from state and federal grants.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, for every person not reported Stoneham will lose $1,118 in grant money.
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