Select Board seat up for grabs in upcoming Town Election

As the Annual Town Election cycle kicks into gear, the race for a spot on the Select Board is the only potentially contentious one so far.

As of Wednesday, Jan. 15, four people have taken out nomination papers for an open seat on the Select Board, with incumbent Stanley Mickelson choosing to not seek reelection. 

“It’s been a great ride, but I think it’s time,” said Mickelson, who served on the Select Board for 12 years.

The people who have taken out nomination papers are Kevin Melo, Nathan Silva, Curtis Nunes and Al Oliveira.

Taking papers out doesn’t guarantee that someone’s name will appear on the ballot. They must first get at least 50 signatures from registered voters to submit with their nomination paper, which must then be certified in the town clerk’s office.

Melo and Silva have both served in the town’s government before, with Melo previously having served on the Planning Board and Silva’s term on the finance committee set to come to a close this June.

Silva said that he decided to run for the Select Board seat because he thinks he can "make a positive difference in the community" by providing an "outsider's perspective."

"I've done the research needed to understand the challenges our community faces," he said.

Nunes is currently a realtor at Curtis Nunes Real Estate. 

According to Oliveira’s LinkedIn page, he has served as the director of city operations for the City of Fall River since 2023.

On the School Committee there are two, three-year terms up for election. Incumbents Kathleen Amaral and Elizabeth Coughlin have both taken out nomination papers to run for reelection. As of Wednesday, Jan. 15, no others have taken out papers for these positions.

The following will also be on the ballot this year and are currently uncontested:

A one year, unexpired term on the Board of Health

Three-year term on the Board of Health,

Three-year term on the Board of Assessors

Two, three-year terms on the Library Board of Trustees

Five-year term on the Planning Board

Three-year term on the Parks and Recreation Board

Five-year term on the Housing Authority

Library Board of Trustees incumbents Joan-Marie Proulx and Lisa Tufano have taken out papers to run for reelection, as have Housing Authority incumbent David Brodeur and Board of Health incumbent Emily Olmstead.

Residents interested in running for election have until Friday, Feb. 13 to take out papers from the Town Clerk’s office and until Feb. 17 to submit them with the 50 required signatures from registered voters.

Nominees will have until Tuesday, March 31 to withdraw from the race. This is also the last day to request a mail-in ballot.

Those not yet registered to vote have until Saturday, March 28 to do so. To register, visit the Town Clerk’s office, which is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On March 28, the office will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For those running to be a Town Meeting member, a minimum of 20 certified signatures and the addresses of registered voters who live within the candidate’s precinct are required. Obtaining additional signatures is also recommended for this race.

The Annual Town Election will be held on Tuesday, April 7 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more election information, visit the election information page on the Town of Dartmouth website.