The Town Caucus, called each year to nominate candidates for vacant seats on elected town boards, will be held Saturday, March 24, at 5 p.m. in the upper Town Hall meeting room. The date and time were approved Tuesday night by a unanimous vote of the selectmen.
The 5 p.m. start time is two hours earlier than usual, a departure from tradition that the selectmen hope will interfere less with voters’ Saturday night plans and encourage a higher turnout. Caucuses typically last no more than 10 to 15 minutes.
The two people receiving the highest number of votes for each opening will be nominated by the caucus. A potential candidate need not be present at the caucus to be nominated; however, a person nominated by the caucus must sign a certificate of nomination by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, in the town clerk’s office for his or her name to appear on the ballot.
A town voter may also run for office by taking out nomination papers, which also must be filed with the town clerk by 5 p.m. March 27. Twenty-seven certified signatures of registered Harvard voters are required to place a candidate on the ballot by means of nomination papers. Voters with questions can call Town Clerk Marlene Kenney at 978-456-4100, ext. 316.
There are 17 seats opening on elected town boards this spring:
- Moderator, one position for 1 year
- Board of Selectmen, one position for 3 years
- Cemetery Commission, one position for 3 years
- Community Preservation Committee, one position for 3 years
- Board of Health, one position for 3 years
- Library Trustees, two positions for 3 years
- Parks and Recreation Commission, two positions for 3 years
- Planning Board, two positions for 3 years
- Planning Board, one position for 1 year
- School Committee, two positions for 3 years
- Tree Warden, one position for 1 year
- Warner Free Lecture Trustees, two positions for 3 years
