WILBRAHAM –  The Wilbraham Republican Town Committee (WRTC) met on March 20 at Minnechaug Regional High School to select and nominate individuals to run for Town Office at the Annual Town Election on May 19.

Roughly 45 people were in attendance in the Minnechaug auditorium with 30 members of the WRTC present.

This year there are two open positions on the Hampden Wilbraham Regional School District (HWRSD) School Committee, each position is for a three-year term.  Current HWRSD School Committee Chair William Bontempi was nominated by the WRTC to run for re-election. In addition to Bontempi, Lloyd Elliott was nominated to run for School Committee.  This is his first run for elected office in town.

Current Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Robert Russell has been nominated to run for re-election.  David Martial nominated himself to run for Selectman at this years Town Meeting, and John McCarthy seconded Martial’s campaign stating, “everyone should have a shot,” to run for the Select Board should they choose. At this years election, there is only one position open on the Select Board for a term of three years.

The Town Moderator position is opening this year, and at the WRTC meeting James Jurgens was nominated to campaign for the position.  This position is for a three year term. This will be Jurgens first run for a town office position.  

Lawrence LaBarbera was nominated and will be running for the Town Assessor position.  Similar to the Moderator position, Town Assessor is for a three-year term.

Donald Bourcier was nominated to run for a three-year term as Cemetery Commissioner.

James Dunbar is campaigning for Water Commissioner which is a three-year term, following his nomination by the group.

Two individuals, Raymond Burk and D. John McCarthy have decided to campaign for Library Trustee; McCarthy nominated himself for the position while Burk was nominated by others. There are currently two open positions on the Board of Library Trustees, both for three-year terms.

James Burke was nominated to run for Housing Authority, which consists of a five-year term.  

Neither the Town Clerk nor Planning Board seats were selected by a member of the WRTC to run for this year. The Planning Board seat is a five-year term, while the Town Clerk position is a three-year term.

Current Wilbraham Town Clerk Beverly Litchfield announced in early February that nomination papers for the numerous open elected positions in town are available in here office up until March 29.  The deadline for nomination papers to be submitted is April 2 at 5 p.m. The Annual Town Election is schedule for May 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

For additional questions and information call the Town Clerk’s Office at 596-2800, ext. 200.  To pick up nomination papers, go to the Town Clerk’s Office at the Town Office Building, 240 Springfield St. in Wilbraham.