New Blandford selectman Thomas Ackley (right) with Hilltown Ambulance service director Angela Mulkerin in 2017. (WNG File Photo)
BLANDFORD – Town elections were held on Saturday, drawing a lower than expected turnout. According to Town Clerk Mary Kronholm, 163 votes were cast out of 875 registered voters, approx. 18.6%. of electorate.
Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Ackley won the selectman’s contest, defeating incumbent William Levakis, 120 to 41, for a three-year term.
Doris Jemiolo won the office of town clerk, defeating Staci Iglesias, 86 to 70, for a one-year term.
The sole ballot question, shall the town vote to have its elected town clerk become an appointed town clerk, was defeated 59-94.
In the only other contest on the ballot for water commissioner, incumbent Brian Champiney defeated William Levakis, 111 to 41, for a three-year term.
Uncontested slots were elected as follows:
Stephen Jemiolo, incumbent, assessor for three years
Jennifer Girard, board of health for three years, to fill an unexpired term
Brett Hartley, board of health for three years, to fill an unexpired term
Charles Benson, incumbent, library trustee for one year
June Massee, incumbent, municipal light board
Paul Martin, planning board.
There were no nominees for the following positions: Cemetery commissioner for three years; fence viewer for one year; field driver for three years, and planning board for five years.
By statute, Kronholm will be in office one more week. She served several years as assistant town clerk, was elected to a full term, then stepped down. Laurie Boucher succeeded her and resigned after a year, and Kronholm was appointed for a year until this election.
She will be swearing in the newly elected officials this week.
