Moderator Harrington Won't Seek Re-Election

Town Moderator Joe Harrington won't seek a ninth term on March 4, ending a tenure that began in 1990.

"I’ve decided that 24 years is enough," Harrington told selectmen Monday night in a letter, which he shared with Westborough Patch.

"I could keep going (health is not the issue) but a voice inside me is telling me to quit while I’m still going strong."

Nomination papers for the March 4 annual town election became available Monday from the town clerk's office, in the Forbes Municipal Building.

Advisory Finance Committee member John Arnold has taken out nomination papers for a three-year term as moderator.

Also taking out papers are: Ian Johnson, selectman, three years; Patricia Fontes, library trustee, three years; Edward Newton Jr., planning board, two years; and Wendy Mickel, town clerk, three years.

All except Mickel are the current office-holders. Mickel is the assistant town clerk. Town Clerk Nancy Yendriga will retire on Dec. 31 and will not seek re-election.

There's a 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 deadline for taking out nomination papers, Yendriga said in a press release.

There's a 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14 deadline for filing signed nomination papers signed by 50 registered voters, she said.

The offices on the ballot are:

School committee: two three-year terms. Incumbents are Ilyse Levine-Kanji and Josephine Hensley.

School committee: one two-year term. The current office-holder is Karen Henderson (appointed after Bruce Tretter resigned).

Library trustee: three three-year terms. Incumbents are Patricia Fontes, Lisa Freeman and Dorothy Mello.

Planning board: one five-year term. Incumbent is Mark Silverberg.

Planning board: one two-year term. The current office-holder is Edward Newton Jr. (appointed after Trevor Beauregard resigned).

Selectmen: one three-year term. Incumbent is Ian Johnson.

Moderator: one three-year term. Incumbent is Joseph Harrington.

Town clerk: one three-year term. Incumbent is Nancy Yendriga.

Housing authority: one five-year term. Incumbent is Priscilla Federici.