Nault Makes It Official For Grafton Selectman Race

GRAFTON, Mass. — The four-way race for Grafton's Board of Selectmen is shaping up.

Robert Nault, one of four candidates to run for the two open selectmen seats, has submitted certified nomination papers, the official step to appear on the May 21 ballot.

He is the first to do so -- and ahead of the April 2 deadline. Papers must include at least 50 signatures from Grafton registered voters.

“I’m signed, sealed and delivered,” Nault said in a telephone interview. “It’s one less thing for me to worry about with the campaign.”

Other candidates who have pulled nomination papers but have not certified their nominations are Dennis Flynn, a retired school superintendent with the town of Harvard and vocal advocate against the Grafton & Upton Railroad’s propane terminal construction; Craig Dauphinais, a former selectman for six years and planning board member for three years; and Bruce Spinney, a former planning board chairman who ran and lost the race for selectman in 2011 and 2012.

Selectmen David Ross and Peter Adams decided not to run for re-election.

Nault has set up a Facebook page and is currently building a website which he said will be completed by the end of March.

He promises a “zero negative” campaign but was up front on the challenges Grafton faces.

“Over the last several years taxes have incrementally gone up,” he said. “I want to reduce spending in town, and curtail taxes. The rate taxes are going up, our children are not going to be able to afford to live here.”

This is Nault’s first crack at elected office. He is currently clerk of the Zoning Board of Appeals, a member of the Fisherville & Farnumsville Streetscape Committee, and the Capital Improvement Planning Committee.

He’s a technology services project manager at A/Z Corporation, a construction company based in North Stonington, Conn. with a satellite office in Westborough and Pennsylvania.

Aside from Nault, Donna M. Girouard, the longtime assistant town clerk and current interim clerk, has certified her nomination. She is currently running unopposed. 

Amanda Diurba, who is running for re-election as library trustee, has submitted her formal nomination but the signatures submitted are still being certified, according to the town clerk's office.

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