Eight more people have taken the first step toward running for office in the May 18 annual town election, as they obtained nomination papers during the past week.

The newest incumbents seeking to retain their seats include school committee members Courtney Littlefield and Aleeza Hagerty, housing authority member Anne-Margaret MacEachern, assessor Pamela Sinton-Coffman, and library trustee Celia Nolan. Former school committee member Ernest Minelli is seeking to return to the board, while Thu-Hang Tran is seeking one of the three-year terms on the library board.

The five-year seat on the redevelopment authority now held by Adrienne Paquin has attracted one candidate – C. Anne Murray, who had unsuccessfully sought appointment to a vacancy last year. Charles Richardson, who was appointed to the seat, is running to finish the three-year term, as is Valerio Romano, who, like Murray and Richardson, sought the appointment last fall. Murray drew nomination papers for both HRA seats and must decide which position to seek.

A week ago, 11 candidates, including six incumbents, were the first to obtain nomination papers for the 15 openings that will appear on the ballot.

Drawing papers is the first step in the election process; prospective candidates now need to collect the signatures of at least 50 Hull registered voters. Some candidates may change their minds prior to the deadline for returning them (May 30), and two of those who are considering running for office have taken out papers for different offices; they must choose which office to seek.

The last day to take out nomination papers is Thursday, March 26 at 5 p.m.

In addition to the candidates mentioned above, select board members Jerry Taverna and Jason McCann will be challenged by Susan Short Green and Patricia Lynn Cormier. Green also took out papers to run against incumbent planning board member Jeanne Paquin for a five-year term.

Incumbent light board members Patrick Cannon and Jacob Vaillancourt are so far unopposed for re-election to their three-year seats. In addition to Nolan and Tran, Amy Hyde has taken out nomination papers for one of the two positions available on the board of library trustees.

Not yet attracting candidates are two seats on the board of assessors – the three-year term of Mario Grieco and the one-year unexpired term previously held by Rochelle Terranova, who was appointed in July after the resignation of Michael Waldner.

Town Clerk Lori West recommends that potential candidates schedule an appointment to pick up the nomination papers and request checklist of upcoming deadlines and milestones in the process of running for office by emailing lwest@town.hull.ma.us or calling 781-773-3803. An online request form also is available at www.town.hull.ma.us/town-clerk.

The last day to register to vote in the May 19 annual town election is Friday, May 8.

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