John Erickson, 45, Milford's Building Commissioner, Running for School Committee

John Erickson, a lifelong Milford resident employed as the town's building commissioner, is running for elected office as a School Committee member.

Erickson, 45, turned in his nomination papers Wednesday. It is his first run for elected office.

Two seats are available this year, and at the point Erickson had returned papers Wednesday, only two people have announced candidacies. Along with Erickson, Joe Callery, 37, a supervisor at Milton Cat, is running. On Thursday, Jennifer Parson, a Northborough school principal and Milford resident, drew nomination papers, beginning the process that would make this a three-way contest. 

Neither of the incumbent School Committee members whose seats are expiring — Christine Boyle and Rob Lanzetta — has said whether they are seeking re-election.

Nomination papers can be pulled through Feb. 7. 

Erickson, who grew up in Milford and returned to town after graduating from college, said he decided to run, in part, because only one candidate had emerged in the first week or two of the nomination period.

Erickson is a 1986 graduate of Milford High School and earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1990. He previously worked as an electrical contractor for a family-owned business, and in 2003 started working the town in part-time appointed positions, initially as the wiring inspector, later as the assistant building inspector.

In 2011, he was appointed a department head as Building Commissioner, after longtime Building Commissioner Anthony F. DeLuca Jr. retired. In that capacity, he oversees the town's inspections and building related permits. Under Erickson, the department has led a task force effort to inspect multifamily and apartment buildings for safety and health issues.

Erickson does not have children. His interest, he said, was driven by seeing an opportunity to serve the town, and feeling he had something to offer. "I just saw a need and an opportunity for some qualified people to join and make some sound decisions," he said.

He has no particular education issue that is driving his candidacy, he said. "If I'm elected, I'll go in with an open mind."