More seats up for grabs in Swampscott election

SWAMPSCOTT – Two incumbents will not be running for re-election this spring.Selectman Adam Forman and School Committee member David Whelan have both announced they would not seek re-election.Forman, who is finishing out his first three-year term, said he has enjoyed the position but he doesn’t believe he has the time or energy to serve another three-year term.”I have been honored and privileged to serve the town in this aspect,” he said.”It’s not like extending a contract where you can negotiate one more year,” he said. “I believe the town is entitled to someone who can give it their all for the next three years. I think the town needs some new blood on the Board of Selectmen.”Whelan, who is also finishing out his first three-year term, said time was also a factor in his decision not to seek re-election.”I’m moving on to something else,” he said. “I’m going to focus on my career and job.”A three-year term on the Planning Board is up for grabs. The vacancy was created when Jeffrey Blonder, whose term was to run through 2012, resigned on Oct. 8 because he was deployed to Afghanistan. Angela Ippolito has taken out papers to run for Blonder’s unexpired three-year term.Incumbent Patrick Jones’ team has already taken out nomination papers to run for another five-year term on the Planning Board and incumbent Nelson Kessler is running for another term on the Board of Health.Martin Goldman’s one-year term as moderator is expiring, but he has not taken out nomination papers.Other terms of office that are up this spring include John Phelan III’s seat on the Board of Assessors, John Karwowski’s seat on the Board of Library Trustees and James Hughes’ slot on the Housing Authority.The last day to take out nomination papers for the April 28 town election is March 6 and all nomination papers must be returned to the town clerk by March 10.Incumbent Town Meeting members must notify the town clerk in writing of their intention to run for re-election no later than March 10.The last day for candidates to withdraw their names from the ballot is March 26.Residents have until 8 p.m. on April 8 to register to vote in the upcoming town election.