Tuesday is last day for nomination papers; Bubriski declares for library trustee

With just a few days to go before the deadline to pull nomination papers, John Paul Bubriski declared for library trustee — the final empty slot on the May 17 Town Election ballot.

Tuesday, March 29, is the last day nomination papers will be available in the Town Clerk’s office, and those declared have only until the close of business that day, to file their signatures for certification. 

Returned papers must contain the names of at least 50 registered voters of Grafton, but candidates are urged to submit more than the minimum number required in case some names or signatures cannot be verified. Candidates may withdraw their nomination papers up until 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 14.

Here’s where the field stands, complete with who has already returned their papers.

Select Board

There are four vying for the seats now held by incumbents Peter Carlson and Doreen DeFazio, who are not seeking re-election.

  • Finance Committee member Andy Jefferson (papers returned); 
  • Richard Whitney, a current member of the Community Preservation Commission and a retired businessman (papers returned);
  • Carl Palmer, a senior cybersecurity analyst;
  • Ann Marie Foley, who has served on multiple town committees, specializing in recreation and environmental projects (papers returned).

School Committee

There are three School Committee seats on the ballot for the Town Election and incumbent Jennifer Connelly has announced she will not seek re-election.

  • Incumbent Amy Marr has pulled nomination papers for re-election to her three-year seat (papers returned);
  • Mariagraciela Vargas-Baker, who was appointed to the School Committee in February, has also declared for the one year remaining in the term of Rahul Rathi, who resigned in December (papers returned);
  • Liora Bram, a communications and marketing professional who serves as co-chair of the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee, has pulled nomination papers for a three-year seat (papers returned);
  • Cherilyn Reno, who has degrees in biochemistry and linguistics, is running for a three-year seat;
  • Craig Juelis, a former principal in Medway and North Attleboro, has declared for a three-year seat (papers returned);
  • Stacie Norton Bennett, a former teacher and director of programming and youth services for the Salvation Army in Worcester, has declared for a three-year seat.

In other races:

  • Town Clerk Kandy Lavallee has returned papers for what may be her final election — the town is considering making her position appointed rather than elected (papers returned).
  • On Planning Board, David Robbins (papers returned) and Prabhu Balaji Venkataraman are seeking re-election.
  • Dana Wilson is seeking re-election to the Board of Library Trustees.

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