MacDonald Confirms Bid for Dedham Board of Selectmen

Dedham Board of Selectmen chairman Jim MacDonald told Dedham Patch in an email Tuesday that he will seek a seventh term as a selectman.

MacDonald plans to pull papers to run for office in a week and begin accumulating signatures for the April 14 town election.

MacDonald was voted chairman of the current board last April for the fifth time in his 18-year tenure.

In 2009, MacDonald garnered 65.5 percent of the vote, beating out Sam Celata, his lone challenger in the race. In 2006, he ran unopposed for a 3-year seat.

Last year saw two newcomers challenge incumbents for the Board of Selectmen, but both Robert O'Connell and George Panagopoulos .

Other notable town committee incumbents with terms expiring are School Committee members Kevin Coughlin and Joe Heisler, Town Clerk Paul Munchbach, Planning Board chairman Robert Aldous and Library trustee Rebecca Peluso.

Correction: The date of the town election is April 14.