ORANGE — Voters in Monday’s election overwhelmingly rejected the only ballot question, which would have converted the elected town clerk position into an appointed one.
Seventy-seven residents opted in favor of the switch, as opposed to the 140 that voted against it. Fourteen people left the question blank on their ballot.
The town clerk position has always been an elected one in Orange, but some have voiced their belief that the residency requirement hinders the town’s ability to find a qualified person for the job. Also, there is always a possibility no Orange resident runs for the position. A town clerk runs local elections, issues licenses, certificates and notifications, and handles various other administrative responsibilities. Nancy Blackmer has been the Orange town clerk since 1999.
The topic had been discussed at multiple Selectboard meetings, with members and residents voicing their support or disapproval of the idea. A motion authorizing the change was adopted at an Annual Town Meeting, enabling the question to be put on the election ballot.
Blackmer has always declined to provide her opinion on the proposal because, as town clerk, she runs the elections. Speaking Tuesday, she said she must maintain her impartiality following the vote. However, she did offer that “both (options) have their advantages.”
In addition to the sole ballot question, there were no contested races.
Patricia Lussier, the Selectboard’s current clerk, was the lone candidate on the ballot for a three-year seat — the only one up for grabs on the Selectboard. Longtime Moderator Christopher Woodcock was also re-elected. James Gallagher and Randy Plante won three-year positions as constables.
Patricia Pierson, chair of the Board of Health, was re-elected to her three-year seat, while Candace Cross and Sandra Johnson were re-elected to three-year positions as library trustees.
Blackmer said Katie Hunkler won a three-year spot on the Orange Elementary School Committee as a write-in candidate, but declined to accept the position. Blackmer said Hunkler had been interested in a spot on the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District School Committee only.
Jane Peirce, chair of the Selectboard, said her board will hold joint meetings with any boards or committees with vacancies and vote to appoint people to unoccupied seats. There are two vacancies on the Orange Elementary School Committee.
Additionally, Malory Ellis won a three-year seat on the Orange Elementary School Committee. She was the only name on the ballot for three available seats. Kimberly Scot won the one-year position on the committee, and Peter Cross and Sharon Gilmore each won re-election to a pair of three-year spots on the Mahar committee.
Glen Harris edged out fellow write-in candidate Harold Veilleux, 17 to 15, for a Cemetery Commissioner position, but Blackmer said on Tuesday she had not yet connected with him to determine if he would accept the job.
Carl Sauter won re-election as a water commissioner and Douglas McIntosh was re-elected to a veteran-exclusive position with the Trustees of Soldiers’ Memorials. Michelle LeBlanc was re-elected to a non-veteran position with the trustees, and Tracy Gaudet won re-election to a five-year seat on the Housing Authority.
Of the town’s 5,502 registered voters, 231 came out to the polls Monday, making for a 4.2% voter turnout.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or
413-772-0261, ext. 262.