Arlington Town Election: What To Know, Who's Running

ARLINGTON, MA — It's officially election season and the window to pull papers to indicate an intention to run for office on the April ballot is closed, as of this week.

At this point it looks like the race for a seat at the Board of Selectmen will be the only contested race and that, only somewhat with two seats open and three people vying for it.

The other two, not so much: There are School Committee seats open and two who have expressed interest. As for the Board of Assessors there's only one name who pulled papers on that and an incumbent at that.

Those who pulled papers still have until March 5 to return papers, provided they get the required 50 voter signatures from people around town supporting them.

Turnout for local elections has steadily decreased over the past five years, most likely coinciding with fewer contested elections or questions on the ballot.

As of last April there were 30,998 registered voters in town, but only 2,778 of them cast ballots in the Town Election that year. That's - 8.96 percent of voters. In 2016 the turnout was almost double that at 4,769 ballots cast and 15.42 percent turnout. It was just above 9 percent in 2015, and about 20 percent in 2014.

In 2013 there was a 28.6 percent turnout.

• John V. Hurd, of Hillside Avenue, Pulled papers on 12/18/2017.
• INCUMBENT Joseph A. Curro, Jr., of Millett Street, Pulled papers on 12/19/2017.
• A. Michael Ruderman, of Alton Street, Pulled papers on 12/21/2017.

• INCUMBENT Kevin P. Feeley, of Baker Road, Pulled papers on 01/10/2018.

• INCUMBENT Jeffrey D. Thielman, of Coolidge Road, Pulled papers on 12/29/2017.
• Jane P. Morgan, of Brattle Street, Pulled papers on 01/03/2018.

Powers and Duties:

• There are 5 elected members to the Board of Selectmen, each elected to 3-year terms.
• Duties can be read in Section 4, 5 of the Town Manager's Act.
• Time Commitment: 22 meetings a year, with additional subcommittee work.
• Compensation: $3,500 Chair, $3,000 member.

Board of Assessors

• There are 3 elected members to the Board of Assessors. Each elected to 3-year terms.
• View Assessor Responsibilities as excerpted from the Division of Local Services (DLS) Course 101 Handbook. Read the full handbook.
• Time Commitment: 22 meetings a year- Compensation: $4,900 member

School Committee-

• There are 7 elected members to the School Committee, each elected to 3-year terms.-
• Read School Committee Powers and Duties.- Read the School Committee Policy Manual-
• Time Commitment: 20 meetings a year, with additional subcommittee work.-
• There is no compensation.

Last day to register to vote:

March 16

Election Day:

April 7, 2018

Polling Locations
Massachusetts Election Site

Look up your voter registration status.

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Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch