Interested In Running For Local Office?

The town election is coming up this spring, and a handful of candidates have now filed to run for various positions.

If you're interested in running for public office in Lynnfield, you've got until Feb. 16 to pick up nomination papers and until Feb. 21 to submit them. Prospective candidates are required to submit 50 valid signatures and will be provided with a packet containing information about the open meeting law, campaign finance regulations, and more. Those who plan to spend campaign funds and accept contributions will receive a different form than candidates who do not.

Also, a reader inquired this week about the compensation that the various elected officials in town receive. A check with the town administrator's office confirms that members of the Board of Selectmen receive a $700 annual stipend (quarterly payments), while the chair receives $850. These amounts have remained the same for some 25 years now.

For the Board of Assessors, a member earns a $3,550 annual stipend, with $4,100 allocated for the chair. The stipend amount for this town board has actually been reduced considerably in recent years. Several years ago, the board of assessors chair would receive a $6,100 stipend, with the other two members receiving $5,550.

All other town board or commission members serve as volunteers.

Also, a full-time town elected official would be eligible for creditable service toward their pension, although the amounts of these stipends make it highly unlikely that anyone would ever actually get a pension just for holding that position. Instead, the creditable service would be more relevant to somebody who has already spent a certain amount of time as a full-time town employee for example.

While last year there were no contested races in town, at least one is brewing so far this year with the open selectmen's seat currently held by Chairman Arthur Bourque, who is running for the open town moderator spot. Other candidates have also already filed for assessor and school committee (which has two open seats). So if you're interested in throwing your own hat into the ring, hopefully this helps.