Board of Selectman Chairman Will Not Seek Re-Election in April

Reading Board of Selectmen chairman James Bonazoli confirmed at Tuesday night’s meeting that he will not seek re-election in April when his third elected term expires.

Bonazoli cited time conflicts and other reasons for the decision, which will conclude his time serving the Board of Selectmen after nine years.

“Three terms, nine years is a good, healthy stint for being a Board of Selectmen member,” said Bonazoli. “There are many other reasons I am choosing not to run, but part is the workload. I don’t feel like I am able to give to the residents what they have trusted me with.”

Fellow members of the Board of Selectmen took the opening minutes of the Tuesday meeting to thank Bonazoli for his service of nearly a decade.

“Let me thank you for your nine years of service, and for two years of direct leadership upon my entrance,” said selectman John Arena. “I don’t think people at home realize how much time this job takes. It’s not just the time on the air, it’s time off the air and time away from home. Thos are minutes you don’t get to spend with your kids, your hobby, or your family. So I want to thank you for that.”

Bonazoli is one of two selectmen whose terms will expire in 2014. Ben Tafoya will also be eligible for re-election if he chooses to add his name to the ballot.