Baghdady Files Nomination Papers for Belmont Selectman

There will be a race to replace Ralph Jones as a Belmont selectman as Sami Baghdady filed his nomination papers at Town Hall Friday, Jan. 10.

With members of his family with him, the current member of the Planning Board and Town Meeting member submitted his paperwork just after 3 p.m. with Town Clerk Ellen Cushman.

"I have been a Belmont resident for over 40 years, and have proudly served our town in many ways. I think I can best continue my service by becoming Belmont’s next selectman," said the Loring Street resident in a statement to Belmont Patch.

"Also, I am a licensed and practicing attorney who regularly helps people solve problems and reach consensus. I think I can bring those capabilities to the Board of Selectmen, as we face the important issues challenging Belmont," he added.

Baghdady's campaign team includes chair Elizabeth Allison, Baghdady's colleague on the Planning Board and former chair of the Warrant Committee, and treasurer Jim Gammell, who ran as an independent for state Representative in 2012 and is on the Warrant Committee. 

If the minimum number of signatures are certified by the Town Clerk's office, Baghdady will challenge Energy Committee co-Chair Roger Colton for the open seat on the three-member Board of Selectmen at the annual Town Election, this year taking place on Tuesday, April 1.