ROCKINGHAM — Monday was the deadline for all interested parties to submit petitions to Town Hall for the open three-year seat of former Selectboard member Robert Thomson, who resigned last month.
Stefan Golec got his name in early, and is currently serving as a Bellows Falls Trustee. He said he's managed the two simultaneous seats in the past and felt he could again, when asked about holding a seat on both boards.
“It's all about serving the public for me,” Golec said. “It's what I'm here for.”
Lamont Barnett, Bellows Falls resident and owner of the Rock and Hammer jewelry store in the Square, submitted his petition.
“My past experience with the municipal government will be beneficial at this time, especially when so many people are suffering in this economy,” he said.
Barnett served on the Selectboard for 14 years, as a member of the Bellows Falls Development Association for 18 years, and on multiple committees and projects for a “total of 20 years,” he said.
Rockingham resident N. Lincoln Divoll, now retired from the insurance business but still haying his farm near the Rockingham Meeting House, also put his name in the hat with the required 30 signatures.
“I've done this before,” he said. “I served as Selectboard chair before and had to do the hiring of town managers. My experience as a business man [adds to my qualifications].”
Matt Trieber, currently serving a one-year term on the Selectboard, said he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity that presented itself to better serve his community as a three-year member. He submitted his name and the required petition with 47 signatures.
“I can get more accomplished over a three-year period, than a one-year period,” he said. “There are some major issues facing us and in the last six months [on the board], we haven't really been able to address them yet. With a lengthier seat, I'll be able to do that.”
The election will be held Aug. 24, the same day as the state primaries, with an extra ballot to include the four candidates names.