Candidates coming and going in Swampscott elections

SWAMPSCOTT – The April 29 town election is still three-and-one-half months away but several incumbents have announced they would not seek re-election and other potential candidates have taken out nomination papers.There are two seats on the Board of Selectmen, currently held by Jill Sullivan and Marc Paster, which expire this spring.Sullivan was elected Oct. 2 in a special election to fill a vacancy on the Board of Selectmen created when Reid Cassidy stepped down due to scheduling conflicts. Sullivan, who took out nomination papers Wednesday, said she is running for re-election.Paster, who has been on the Board for nine years and spent five years serving on the Board of Assessors, has already announced he is not running for re-election. Paster is not the only incumbent who has made a decision not to run for another term.School Committee members Daniel Yaeger and Shelley Sackett have announced they would not be seeking re-election this spring.Yaeger said his time on the School Committee has been a great learning experience and fulfilling, but said he’s ready to move on to other ventures.Sackett, campaign manager for Lori Ehrlich’s state representative bid, said she hopes to become more involved in politics at the state level.Glenn Paster has already taken out nomination papers to run for one of the available seats on the School Committee.”I’m excited,” he said. “I think budget is the number one issue for me. Last year was very challenging for the schools but I think the schools are moving in a positive direction. Schools are about the kids and any decisions that are made have to be kid-centric.”There will be two seats also up for grabs on the Planning Board this spring. Sullivan resigned from that Board Wednesday evening and Planning Board Chairman Eugene Barden’s term expires this spring, but he has already pulled nomination papers and said he would seek reelection.Connie Hayes, who works in the town clerk’s office, said the deadline to take out nomination expires March 7 and papers must be returned by March 11.