Easton to Hold First Contested Board of Selectmen Race Since 2005

John Haederle's January before the end of his term to take a job in Washington threw an unexpected hook into this year's Board of Selectmen race, with an election scheduled for April 26.

Two people will be vying for the remainder of Haederle's term, while only one person filed nomination papers for the 3-year term left vacant by Irwin Cohen, who is leaving the Board of Selectmen. Candidates must specify which seat they are running for.

David Charles Nelson and Finance Committee member Daniel Murphy will be vying for Haedlerle's vacant one-year seat, which makes 2011 the first year since 2005 that there will be a contested Board of Selectmen race in Easton, according to Town Clerk Jeremy Gillis.

Three people had pulled papers for Cohen's vacant three-year seat, but Todd Gornstein, a Finance Committee member, was the only candidate to file papers for the seat before Tuesday's 5 p.m. deadline.

Planning Board member Dan Smith pulled papers on Jan. 3 and Finance Committee member Patrick Goodman pulled papers on Jan. 7. Goodman dropped out of the race in February, citing time commitment.

Goodman endorsed Gornstein.

"I’m going to back Todd," said Goodman last month. "I think he can put the effort in. He’s got plenty of time. I know a couple of people who he represented doing some law work for him and they all said he was a very hard-working diligent person."

"Pat Goodman is a great Easton resident and exceptional Easton public official," Gornstein responded. "I respect him fully and I am grateful to have his full support in my run for Selectman.  As your next Selectman I will continue to dedicate myself to zealously serving the Town of Easton.  Together, I will fully support our schools for our children, support and advocate for our seniors and our Nationally recognized Library, as well as be sure that our Police and Fire officials have what they need to protect all of Easton."

Like Gornstein, Irwin Cohen was also a former Finance Committee member.

Either Nelson or Murphy will take the place of Haederle, who had served on the board since 2003.