REHOBOTH - Frederick "Skip" Vadnais, the chairman of the board of selectmen, received the Republican nomination at the Republican Town Committee caucus held Wednesday night at the Palmer River School.

Vadnais has served on the board on and off for the past 25 years. He was first elected to town office in 1979 when he was elected to the finance committee.

"I think this election is about trust. I'm honored that you've put your trust in me," Vadnais said.

Turnout was good for this year's caucus, said committee Chairman Peter Jacobson, with 135 in attendance.

"Turnout was excellent. Not the biggest we've ever had, but certainly better than the last couple of years," said Jacobson. Jacobson said Scott Brown's election to the Senate probably helped bring more people to the meeting, as did the potential for a few contested nominations.

The office of constable was contested and required a vote of the committee because four candidates were nominated for three positions. All three incumbents were nominated: Kenneth Abrams, Douglas Johnson Sr. and Robert Johnson II. Jordan Khory also was nominated. Abrams, Douglas Johnson and Robert Johnson took the nomination.

Incumbent school committee member Richard Barrett, who has served for three years, also received the Republican nomination.

Other incumbents receiving the Republican nomination were: Cheryl Gouveia for treasurer, Edward Bertozzi for planning board and Eugene Campbell for board of assessors. Treasurer and assessors are three-year terms and planning board is for five years.

All three have served the town for many years. Gouveia has been treasurer for 12 years. Bertozzi has been on the planning board for 24 years and Campbell has been assessor for 36 years.

Charles "Chuck" Procopio was nominated for a five-year position on the park commission. Procopio was a write-in candidate for the position last year.

Robert McKim was nominated for a one-year position on the park commission.

For water commissioner, Joseph Nunes and Edwin Ballard, were nominated for two available positions. Water commission is a three-year term.

No candidates were endorsed for moderator, a one-year position, and housing authority, a five-year term.

The candidates endorsed by the Republican Committee will appear on the April 5 town election ballot along with independents and those candidates endorsed by the local Democratic party. Nomination papers may be picked up by prospective candidates at the town clerk's office and must be returned, signed by a minimum of 41 registered voters, to the board of registrars at the town clerk's office by 5 p.m. on Feb. 16.

Ballot positions

Positions to be elected on the ballot are:

Moderator (one for one year).

Selectman (one for three years).

Assessor (one for three years).

Treasurer (one for three years).

Constables (three for three years).

School committee (one for three years).

Planning board (one for five years).

Park commission (one for five years and one for one year).

Housing authority (one for five years).

Water commissioner (two for three years.)

Voter registration

The final voter registration date to be eligible to vote in the annual town election is Tuesday, March 16 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town clerk's office. Prospective voters may also register to vote by calling the town clerk's office to request a mail-in voter registration.

Applications for absentee ballots may also be obtained from the town clerk's office. A written request with the voter's original signature is required for an absentee ballot.

State convention delegates

Delegates to the State Republican Convention also were nominated. The delegates are: Elizabeth Doyle, Neal Harrington, Joseph Nunes, Steve Pimental, Sue Pimental, Jennifer Schwall and Vadnais. Mike Costello and John Ferreira were nominated as alternates. The convention is being held in Worcester on April 17.

Laura Calverley covers Rehoboth for The Sun Chronicle. She can be reached at lcalverley@aol.com.