BY GAYLA CAWLEY
SWAMPSCOTT — John Callahan is the latest local official who has decided against running for re-election.
Callahan, a member of the Board of Selectmen, announced at Wednesday night’s board meeting that he will not seek a second term.
“I will not be a candidate for selectmen this year,” Callahan said.
Callahan was elected, in April 2013, to a three-year term.
Town Moderator Joe Markarian, another local official, also recently announced that he would not be seeking a seventh term.
Besides Callahan, the other board member up for re-election is Matthew Strauss, who has already declared that he will be seeking another term.
“I’ve decided to take out papers to run for another term,” Strauss announced at a Feb. 3 board meeting. “[It’s been an] honor to serve residents for two terms. I would like to see things through to completion. I’ve very much enjoyed serving.”
Since that time, Strauss said his papers have been certified.
After Callahan made his announcement to bow out of the selectmen race, Strauss thanked him for his service. He reiterated those words on Thursday.
“We were elected at the same time three years ago,” Strauss said. “Anyone that serves on the board should be commended.”
Strauss said whenever a candidate runs a campaign, that person puts himself out there for everyone to criticize. He said that isn’t easy and not everyone can do it.
Strauss said he has enjoyed serving on the board, with Callahan, for the past three years.
“I wish him well,” Strauss said.
Board Chair Naomi Dreeben said Callahan has been “really interested in the quality of life in town.” She said he has focused a lot on use of open space, in particular creating a new turf field at Blocksidge Field and supporting the work of the Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with him,” Dreeben said.
Callahan said that he would encourage residents, who feel like they would want an opportunity to serve on the board, to take out papers and run.
“I would like to see it be a race of four or five candidates this year,” Callahan said. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed and hope that comes true.”
The two challengers are shaping up to be Patrick Jones and Donald Hause.
Jones, who served on the Planning Board from 2007 to 2012, has already had his papers certified. On Thursday, Hause, who currently serves on the Zoning Board of Appeals, said he intended to return his nomination papers by next Tuesday.
Candidates have until March 4 to obtain nomination papers. They have until March 8 to return those papers.
The Town Election will be held on Tuesday, April 26.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.