SUNDERLAND — A handful of new faces were nominated for local government positions at the town’s annual caucus last Saturday.
The meeting, which was rescheduled from Feb. 27 due to inclement weather, failed to nominate a candidate for a three-year term on the Selectboard. In a first for Sunderland, the caucus was held outdoors at the Town Offices.
Incumbent Peter Gagarin was nominated for a position on the Sunderland School Committee alongside newcomer Alison Booth Maio, a mother of two, who said she’s lived in town for more than a decade. Both nominations are to fill a three-year term.
“I care a lot about the Sunderland community, in particular the Sunderland Elementary community,” Booth Maio said. “I’ve become really passionate about the need to return our kids to full-time in-person learning.”
Booth Maio added that she’s equipped to help make the important decisions that will soon be in front of the School Committee.
“I’m a lawyer by profession, and I’m a critical and independent thinker,” she said.
Incumbent Gagarin, in speaking for his own nomination, said he’s been involved in town affairs for nearly 40 years, having served on the Finance Committee and been part of the committee that helped to build the Sunderland Public Library.
“I bring to the (Sunderland School Committee) a different perspective,” he said. “I have a good knowledge of how municipal finance works; I have a good relationship with the folks in Town Hall.”
After a vote with green placards, Booth Maio and Gagarin received 29 and 25 votes, respectively. The other two nominees received 14 and 17 votes.
In other positions, incumbent Michael Skibiski was nominated for a three-year term on the Board of Assessors, and incumbent Kenneth Kushi was nominated for a three-year term on the Board of Health.
Incumbent Gabrielle Kurth was nominated for a five-year term on the Planning Board, and newcomer Amanda Hanley was nominated for a two-year term on the same board to finish the term vacated by Steve Schneider.
As for the Board of Library Trustees, incumbents Hollis Graves and Lorin Starr were nominated, along with Emily Pettit, each to serve three-year terms.
Incumbent Scott Bergeron, whose term on the Selectboard ends this year, was nominated to serve another three-year term as a Riverside Cemetery trustee.
And finally, Michael Wissemann was nominated to continue his role as moderator.
Those who signed a nomination certificate by the deadline this week will be put on the May 1 ballot, according to Town Clerk Wendy Houle.
Houle also noted that anyone who wishes to be on the ballot must get 20 signatures from registered voters. Nomination papers should be returned to her by March 15.
The last day to register to vote in the May 1 election is April 12, by 8 p.m.