Nomination papers are now available for the upcoming Town Election, and a race for a seat on the Board of Selectmen is on the horizon.

The Town Election will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4.

Board of Selectmen

Alan Slavin, who is up for reelection, has pulled papers to run again. 

He will be facing one challenger: Glenn Lawrence, a current member of the Finance Committee.

Slavin was first elected to the Board of Selectman in 2012, and is a longtime member of the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District, the Massachusetts Selectmen’s Association and the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

Asked why he is running again, Slavin said there are a number of large town projects that he has been working on for years and would like to see through, including bringing the commuter rail to Wareham, fixing up Merchants Way, and building a new police station and community center. 

Over the years he has served as a selectman, Slavin said he has been able to build relationships with many legislative groups and advisory boards — and those connections can help Wareham. Slavin noted that he was able to get the installation of a traffic light at the Swifts Beach Road and Rte. 6 intersection — the site of many accidents and close calls — moved up several years on MassDOT’s calendar. He was also involved with the plans for the expansion of Cranberry Highway and worked with MassDOT officials to improve conditions after the contractors caused damages to businesses and cars.

Lawrence has said that he is motivated by a desire to give back to the town. He moved to Wareham in 2015 after he received a promotion to Senior Supply Chain Specialist for Hollingsworth & Vose, a global manufacturing firm. He is completing a master’s degree in public administration, has completed a master’s degree in government, and previously spent two decades working as a pastor and missionary.

Lawrence said that, while he is still narrowing down the issues that he would like to focus on, he thinks the most important challenge facing the town is financial in nature. The town needs to continue to provide services to the people who live here, he said, but costs are on the rise, and revenues “aren’t necessarily there.” He noted that what residents need, and the challenges facing a town, can change rapidly, as exemplified by the covid-19 pandemic.

School Committee

Ronald Besse took out nomination papers for both the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen, but will only be campaigning for a seat on the School Committee. He currently serves on the Conservation Commission, a post he would keep even if elected to the School Committee. He plans to run for selectman in a future election, and is endorsing Slavin.

Besse said he is choosing to focus on the School Committee for several reasons: He believes he could have a positive impact, and he is invested in Wareham schools for the long haul, with five children ranging in age from 5 months to 13 years old.

Among his focuses, if he is elected, would be working with special needs advocates to make sure that kids can get the help and resources they need to succeed. He also hopes to increase transparency.

Apryl Rossi has also pulled papers to run for reelection to the School Committee. Rossi was first elected in 2019.

Rossi said she plans to run again, and hopes to serve on the School Committee for as long as her son, a sophomore, is a student at Wareham High School.

“I love our town, I love our schools, and see so much potential among the great things we already have going for us,” said Rossi. “My hope is to continue to be a voice for the kids and the community and advocate to keep things moving forward and in a positive direction by addressing things head-on and transparently.”

Mike Flaherty is also up for reelection, but has not yet pulled nomination papers.

Both Rossi and Flaherty are named as individual defendants in a discrimination lawsuit brought by Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood against the School Committee and town.

The two School Committee candidates who receive the most votes will be elected.

Other boards and commissions

Sandy Slavin will be running for reelection for her seat as a Sewer User Commissioner. She said that she has learned a lot over her three years on the commission about the problems and processes at the department, and hopes to continue applying that knowledge. 

“There’s still more work to be done,” Slavin said.

Deputy Moderator Joseph Ashley has pulled papers for reelection to his position. As Deputy Moderator, Ashley has moderated Town Meeting votes on warrant articles from which Town Moderator Claire Smith has recused herself, and would serve in her stead if necessary.

Longtime Assessor Steven Curry is also running for reelection.

The positions that are open are one three-year Selectmen’s seat, two three-year assessors positions, two three-year school committee positions, one three-year deputy moderator position, and two three-year seats as sewer commissioner: one user and one non-user. 

Those interested in running for a position need to obtain nomination papers from the Town Clerk’s office and returned with signatures before March 8. Because Town Hall is closed to walk-ins, an appointment is required. 

For more information, call the Town Clerk’s office at (508) 291-3140.