NEW SALEM — Monday’s election was a day of overwhelming victories for challengers, as Hugh Mackay bested incumbent Jean Derderian for a three-year Selectboard seat and Susan Apteker unseated Jeff Lett from the Planning Board.
According to Town Clerk Stacy Senflug, Mackay notched 213 votes to Derderian’s 41, and Apteker recorded 164 to overcome Lett’s 77. Of the town’s 825 registered voters, 257 cast ballots, making for a 31 percent voter turnout.
Mackay said Tuesday morning that he expected to be sworn in before that night’s Selectboard meeting, which would be his first on the board.
“I’m humbled and honored,” he said. “It was really a big number of voters. … I’m ready to hit the ground running.”
Mackay grew up outside of Boston and moved to Western Massachusetts for work 22 years ago. He previously explained he has an extensive background in risk management as well as human resources and public procurement. For the past four years, he has worked at the Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority, having recently started a new role in project management. He was previously the personnel coordinator and the modernization and maintenance supervisor.
Mackay noted he was delighted to receive a gracious congratulatory email from Derderian, who wished him good luck.
“I congratulate Hugh Mackay and wish him well as selectman,” she said in an emailed statement to the Greenfield Recorder. “He and his friends worked hard on his campaign, and the results speak to their success. I welcome him in his position, trusting we will continue to see the same reasonable and fair leadership he is known for.
“I will continue to be active in public life, most especially as an advocate for community connections and for the restoration of the Town Hall and auditorium, and the relocation of the Police Station,” Derderian added.
Following her victory, Apteker said she looks forward to helping New Salem, and learning and analyzing the community’s needs. She also thanked voters.
“I hope we’ll have great communication to make the great town of New Salem even better,” she said.
She was unsure when she would be sworn in.
Apteker recently retired, having worked as a teacher at Dexter Park Innovation School for 37 years, with hiatuses to teach in Venezuela, Hungary, Poland and Switzerland.
The following people won their uncontested races: Jenny Potee, Board of Health (234 votes); Eric Hamm, assessor (226 votes); Carla Halpern, New Salem School Committee (214 votes); and Sue Cloutier, Municipal Light Plant (244 votes).
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.