Spinney pulls papers for Grafton Town Moderator

Bruce Spinney had to cut his time on the Select Board short last summer, but he’s jumping into the Grafton candidate pool once again — this time, as a candidate for town moderator.

Spinney is one of several people to pull nomination papers for the May 19 Town Election. Others now seeking signatures include:

• School Committee: Rahul Rathi is seeking a three-year position. There are two seats up for election: one three-year, currently held by Melissa Mazan, and a one-year, now held by Heather Riley, neither of whom have pulled papers.
• Planning Board: Linda C. Hassinger is seeing re-election to her three-year position. Prabhu Balaji Venkataraman, who won a write-in campaign last spring, is listed as pulling nomination papers, although the town website lists his term as expiring in 2022. The ballot this spring includes one three-year position and a one-year position, now held by Justin Wood.
• Housing Authority: Lisa Brovelli Kelley is seeking re-election to the five-year position.
• Select Board: There are two three-year seats available, now held by Jennifer Thomas and Donna Stock. Neither have pulled papers.
• Library Trustees: There are two three-year seats available.

Spinney said running for moderator is a logical progression for a person who wants to remain in town service but wants to avoid conflicts of interest. Spinney stepped down from the Select Board in August 2019 to pursue a host agreement with the town for a marijuana facility, Noble Manna, on Worcester Street. He is still going through the process.

Marijuana may come up in an article at a Town Meeting, but Spinney said he would step aside for the deputy town moderator to take over that portion of the meeting. 

“I have a lot of experience in Grafton,” Spinney said. “I’ve been on the Planning Board, I’ve been on the Finance Committee, I’ve been on the Select Board. I’m really good in front of a crowd, and I have the necessary resume to be a good moderator.”

Spinney sought advice from current moderator Ray Mead, who is stepping down from the role after about 20 years.

“He said 20 years was quite enough,” Spinney said.

Any registered voter of Grafton may pull papers.

• Papers can be pulled at any time during regular business hours
• Papers must be returned to the Registrar of Voters, through the Town Clerk’s office, by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31 for certification
• Nomination 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 16
• The Annual Town Election is on Tuesday, May 19 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.