School Committee Only Contested Race in April 2013 Stoughton Town Election

The January 2 deadline has passed to file nomination papers to run for town-wide office in this upcoming April's annual Town Election, and as has been the case in recent years, many of the races will be uncontested.

This election cycle, one seat on the Board of Selectmen, two seats on the School Committee, one seat on the Housing Authority, and one seat on the Redevelopment Authority, as well as Town Moderator will be on the ballot. Each precinct also will vote for Town Meeting representatives.

Only the race for school committee is contested.

After John Stagnone, the current chair of the Board of Selectmen, said he would not seek reelection, Stoughton attorney T.J. Recupero announced his candidacy and is the only candidate for Selectman. Barring a write-in campaign, Recupero is set to be elected.

Stagnone said he and his wife, Roberta, have entered into a long-term 20-year lease of the State Theatre building on Washington Street, with the plans to renovate and reopen the downtown landmark. Stagnone has also pulled papers to run for Town Meeting representative in precinct 4.

Meanwhile, longtime School Committee member Tom Colburn will also not be running for reelection. Colburn has served three terms on the School Committee.

Fellow incumbent Joyce Husseini, will be seeking reelection to the School Committee, however. She will be joined on the ballot by Carol Brown, Debra Cote and Patricia MacNeil.

Colburn said he enjoyed serving on the School Committee for nine years and appreciated the support of the voters.

"I feel really good about the work accomplished [during my time on the board]," he said. "At this point with my professional responsibilities, through my work, I thought it was time to let someone else hold the torch."

Colburn said when he was first elected, he joined the Committee during a "tumultuous time" recruiting a new superintendent following the retirement of Anthony L. Sarno and stabilizing the district.

"I'm very pleased with how the district has progressed in my time," said Colburn, who has also participated in three different teacher contract negotiations during his nine years on the Committee.

Colburn said he made the decision not to seek reelection "with a lot of thought."

"It is such a stable time with such a solid administration and great teachers [that I am comfortable leaving]," he said. "Dr. Rizzi is an outstanding superintendent."

Howard Hansen will be running unopposed for another term as Town Moderator and Forrest Lindwall will be running unopposed for a term on the Redevelopment Authority.

No candidates submitted nomination papers to run for a seat on the Housing Authority. This position can be filled via write-in, but no official candidate will be on the ballot.

Town-wide nomination papers needed to be filed at the Town Clerk's office by no later than 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2013. The Town Meeting warrant for petitioned articles also closed on the 2nd.

Residents can still pull nomination papers for Town Meeting representative, however. Nomination papers for Town Meeting candidates (15 signatures from registered voters in your precinct are required) are due at the Town Clerk's office by no later than 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 19, 2013.

The annual town election will be held Tuesday, April 9, 2013.

And, the annual Town Meeting begins Monday, May 6, 2013, with an Organizational Town Meeting taking place May 2, 2013.

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TOWN-WIDE ELECTED POSITIONS

Tom Colburn

Joyce Husseini

Joyce Husseini (I)

Patricia MacNeil

Debra Cote

Carol Brown

Christine Iacobucci contributed reporting.