All three candidates for mayor have pulled Nomination Papers this week – as Papers officially became available on Monday morning – and some surprises have already emerged, such as Councilor Michael McLaughlin announcing he won’t run for re-election to the Ward 6 seat and is currently keeping his options open.
Other immediate surprises – as of Tuesday at noon – were School Committeeman Allen Panarese filing for Councilor at-Large; At-Large Councilor Wayne Matewsky filing for Ward 1 Councilor; Council Clerk Mike Mangan filing for Ward 4 School Committee; and Bernie D’Onofrio re-entering public life in running for Ward 6 School Committee.
“Monday was a very busy day,” said City Clerk Sergio Cornelio. “It was a steady flow all day of candidates and incumbents coming in to get their Papers. I’d rather have them in and get their Papers if they are running so we have time to go through the certification process.”
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In another quiet and quick change to the City Charter, the City Council is looking to next Monday to change the number of seats on the School Committee – bringing one more seat on to make it potentially 11 members instead of nine.
The matter would likely have been debated and voted on Monday night with little notice to the public on the change had there not been more technical issues at the Council meeting that forced them to adjourn before addressing that matter.
The move is sponsored by four City Councilors and is in response to the Council recently voting to add the mayor to the School Committee – a request that is now being considered by the State Legislature. By adding the mayor, it created an even number of votes and allowed a tie vote to happen. With the 11th member, the possibility of a tie would no longer be an issue.