It was a close call in the race for Russell Select Board yesterday, with Jason Boyer beating incumbent Nancy Mezger 252 votes to 219.
Town Clerk Virginia Hardie said 483 residents cast votes in the May 7 election.
“It’s very close to what we had last year, which was 486 votes,” Hardie said. The population of Russell, according to the Massachusetts 2010 Census, is 1,775.
A political newcomer, Boyer said he was following a lifelong dream by running for selectman.
“This is something I’ve always wanted to do – to give back to the community where I grew up,” said Boyer.
The selectman race has been somewhat controversial. However, Boyer is happy he took the chance.
“It’s been an interesting experience,” he said. “It was the first campaign I’ve ever run and it was definitely a learning experience.”
Also elected yesterday were J. Illtyd Fernandez-Sierra as moderator, Theodore Gloss as assessor, Elizabeth Lewis as library trustee, Lyle Maxwell as water commissioner, Kimberly Merritt to the Gateway School Committee three-year position, Ruth Kennedy to the Gateway School Committee one year seat, Louis Garlo as cable television commissioner, Lenise Pappas as cemetery commissioner, Daniel Labombard to the municipal light board, James Oleksak, Deanna Ridgway and Alice Taverna to the planning board, and Patricia Brooks, Athanasia Fox, Daniel Labombard, David Ruelle and Jason Boyer as constables.
