NAHANT — Town Election is on April 29 and here is everything you need to know about what will be on the ballot.
When you receive your ballot you will see one seat for the Board of Selectmen, one seat for the Public Library Trustees, two seats for the School Committee, and one seat for the Housing Authority. The positions of moderator, town clerk, assessor, and constable will also be on the ballot.
The Board of Selectmen appoint the town administrator and is the primary “policy-making body” for the town.
“They recommend the budget to the Annual Town Meeting, approve appointments made by the town administrator and the reorganization of town departments; provide oversight for matters in litigation; and act as the licensing authority for a wide variety of town licenses and permits,” Nahant’s website said.
The board also acts as the Board of Health, Cemetery Commissioners, and Highway and Street Commissioners.
The Board of Selectmen has three members serving three-year terms. The incumbent for this election’s position is Chairman Gene Canty.
The town moderator is the presiding officer for Town Meeting, Special Town Meetings, and other meetings requiring their presence.
“The moderator regulates its proceedings, decides all questions of order, declares the outcome of all votes, and has other power and duties as provided for that office by Massachusetts general laws and town by-laws,” Nahant.org said.
The town moderator serves a one-year term and the incumbent is David G. Conlin.
The town clerk is the chief election official and keeper of the town seal.
“The clerk supervises voter registration, oversees polling places, election officers, and the general conduct of all elections,” Nahant.org said. “The town clerk attests by signature and seal to bonds, contracts, bylaws, resolutions and any other documents requiring town certification.”
They also certify the residency of veterans and submit changes of zoning and town by-laws to the attorney general. They issue marriage licenses, dog tag licenses, storage of flammables, business certificates, and raffle permits, and serve as the chief public records access officer.
“The town clerk is also responsible for overseeing the state-mandated compliance of all employees, and board and committee members, to be sure they follow through annually with any required conflict of interest / state ethics laws documentation,” Nahant.org said.
The town clerk serves a one-year term and the incumbent is Diane Savage Dunfee.
The Assessing Department determines the values of real and personal property in town for taxation purposes.
“The department is also responsible for the administration of all property tax record cards,” Nahant.org said. “It maintains accurate parcel ownership data based upon recorded property transactions at the Registry of Deeds, Southern District and all map data pertinent to accurate parcel identification.”
The town assessor serves a three-year term and the incumbent is Kathryn M. Sherber.
The Board of Library Trustees are responsible for management of the library. They serve three-year terms and the incumbent for this year’s open position is Christine Stevens.
“The Nahant Housing Authority owns, governs and administers three housing programs at three different locations in the Town of Nahant which is designed to supply applicants with decent, safe and affordable housing,” Nahant.org said.
Members serve five-year terms and the incumbent for this year’s open position is Mickey Long.
School Committee members serve three-year terms and the incumbent members for the open positions this year are Patty Karrass and Liana Bryanos Deloid.
According to Massachusetts Bay Constable Association, “constables may serve judicial process only in the cities or towns in which appointed or elected. Deputy sheriffs appointed by a county sheriff may serve judicial process within that specific county. Constables are required by law to be bonded for the service of civil process.”
The constable serves for one year and the incumbent is Robert T. Scanlan Jr.
