The nomination paper season continues to be as hot as fire as new twists continue to develop with potential candidates entering the race.
This week, former State Rep. Wayne Matewsky has pulled papers to run at-large.
He told the Independent last week that he intended to pull papers as he still had a lot of supporters who are interested in him running for office.
That said, he will mount a campaign and join a field – at this point – that includes at least 14 prospective candidates for five seats.
Already, incumbents Richard Dell Isola, Cynthia Sarnie, John Hanlon, Peter Napolitano and Mike Mangan have pulled papers for a re-election run.
Challengers include Catherine Tomassi-Hicks, Dan Skerritt, Joe Marchese, Albert Ragucci, Thomas Mills III (Dean Street), Peter Pietrantonio (Winthrop Street, former director of City services), Leo Banetti (Summer Street), and Julio Mordis (Hancock Street).
In Ward 1, a change happened last week when Kay Giannelli (Bow Street) dropped out of the at-large race and entered the Ward race against incumbent Councillor Fred Capone.
Ward 2 is the most crowded ward race with five potential candidates.
Incumbent Steve Simonelli has pulled papers already.
Joining the race potentially are Jason Marcus (Dartmouth Street), Haley LaMonica (Lawrence Street), Dennis DiBiase (Woodside Avenue) and Shawn Coyle (Foster Street).
The battle is Ward 3 has been set for some time, with newcomer Anthony DiPierro (Sycamore Street) facing off against incumbent Michael Marchese.
Ward 4 features long-time incumbent Leo McKinnon facing two challengers: Carmine DeMaria (Central Avenue, Mayor Carlo DeMaria’s brother) and Brian Rawlings (Carlson Street).
Ward 5 still has incumbent Rosa DiFlorio still unopposed.
Ward 6 seems to be set with former Councillor Mike McLaughlin facing off against long-time Councillor Sal Sachetta in a re-match from last time around.
At the School Committee level, at-large potential candidate Mike Dantone of Broadway has withdrawn.
In Ward 1, Dana Springer of Broadway has pulled papers to challenge incumbent Alan Panarese.
No other School Committee candidates are being challenged as of yet.
The deadline for turning in certified nomination papers with the required signatures is mid-July – which is fast approaching.