Candidates for town election finalized

The ballot for the May 6 town election is set after two candidates dropped out and a new one joined before the March 18 nomination deadline.

Six candidates are competing for two Select Board races, one candidate is running unopposed for the School Committee while several others are vying for this year’s open positions in town government.

Three Select Board candidates are competing for two available three-year terms, while the other three are running for a single unexpired two-year term.

Incumbent Jared Chadwick and newcomers Joseph Still and Mark Swan are seeking the two three-year seats. The two candidates with the most votes will claim the positions.

Veronica Debonise initially planned to run alongside Chadwick, Still and Swan but withdrew, stating she could not commit the time the board deserves.

Incumbent Ronald Besse also opted not to seek reelection and could not be reached for comment.

The two-year unexpired term, left vacant by board member Sherri Quirk’s resignation effective May 5, has drawn candidates Marcus Gomes, Richard Coletti and new entrant Robert Powilatis.

Alan Slavin, pulled nomination papers for the seat but later withdrew and endorsed Gomes. Slavin, a current Finance Committee member, previously served on the Select Board for 12 years before retiring in 2024.

"When [Gomes] decided to run for the two-year seat, I felt as though he would be a really good strong candidate for the town," Slavin said.

Still serves on the Conservation Commission, while Swan ran for the Republican State Committee in 2024. Gomes is chair of the Wareham Cultural Council, Coletti serves as a town constable and Powilatis is a member of the Housing Authority.

Other key races are also taking shape.

For the School Committee, Roger Bonin is running unopposed for the one available three-year term. Incumbent Brennan McKiernan is not seeking reelection.

Margaret Ishihara is running for reelection as town moderator.

Former Select Board member Jim Munise is running for a Housing Authority position.

Scott Soby and Carey Paster have filed papers for the two available Sewer Commissioner seats.

David Halberstadt is seeking reelection to the Board of Assessors.