Paul Wormser, whose stint on the School Committee is up this year, announced this week that he will not seek a second term. His reasons are personal, he told the Press. “It’s been a pleasure to serve,” he said, “and I wish the board enormous success.”
According to school board Chairwoman Willie Wickman, no one else has as yet expressed an interest in running to fill the vacant seat. Caucus is set for Saturday, February 2, and nomination papers must be signed by February 13.
Meanwhile, there is still only one race in the offing for the April elections—the three-way contest for selectman among incumbents Lucy Wallace and Scott Kimball and newcomer Tim Clark. All other openings, including the following ones not reported on in last week’s issue of the Press, are so far unchallenged.
Warner Free Lecture Trust
Bromfield English teacher and long-time drama coach Michael McGarty will step down from the Warner Free Lecture Trust after serving two terms, he told the Press Saturday. The trust presents several free educational and entertainment programs to townspeople each year. “The way this works best,” McGarty said, “is if we keep getting new people with new ideas and new contacts. After six years my contacts are drying up.” McGarty said the trust has not yet identified any potential candidates for the job.
Also up for re-election to the trust this year is Marcia Conant, and she will run again, she said this week. Asked what her goals would be in a third term, she replied that she would continue providing some programs for children.
Cemetery Commission
Bruce Dolimount will run for another three-year term on the Cemetery Commission, he said this week. “I’m retired,” he explained, “so I can devote more time to it. And I’ve always enjoyed it.”
Water Commission
Ron Ricci has served two terms on the Water Commission and he’s ready for another go. “I like doing it and I like the other two guys,” he said. “We work well together. In fact, we had a meeting with the new town administrator, Tim Bragan, and he said we’re the best commission to work with.”
Ricci also wants to see through to completion the long-term maintenance plan for the town’s water system that colleague Dave Swain, who has been a commissioner “forever,” said Ricci, has been working on for some time. Piping needs replacement, Ricci said, and some fire hydrants have inadequate flow for the newer pumping trucks. In addition, the commission continues to look for a backup water system for the town.
Housing Authority
One of two seats coming up for election this year on the five-member Housing Authority is that of former selectman and Planning Board member Robert Lerner, whose five-year term on the authority is up this year. Lerner said this week that he has not yet decided if he will run again. The other vacancy was created when former member Angela Gaffney resigned, for personal reasons, with three years remaining in her term. No one has yet stepped forward to run for her unexpired term.
Tree Warden
The town’s tree warden is elected annually. Currently holding the position is Christian Bilodeau, who said this week that he will run again for his third term. Given the small budget he’s recently had to work with, he said, he’s been able only to take down hazardous trees, but with some money having been raised privately, he plans to do some replanting in the coming year, particularly to replace some dead maples on Prospect Hill.
