STERLING — Sterling voters have spoken, choosing to put Kirsten Newman on the Select Board, after a tight race with Neil Lefebvre. Preliminary results from the town clerk have Newman outpacing Lefebvre, 180-175.
Lefebvre told Town Clerk Kathy Farrell he would not be looking for a recount.
Voters also chose James Hartnett to return to his role as a constable, beating out a challenge from Susan LaJoie, 222-117.
In the third contested race on the ballot, Jamie Winters outpaced James Gettens for a seat on the Wachusett Regional School Committee, 242-120.
A total of 386 residents cast their ballots, a 6% turnout.
“I would like to take a moment to thank all of the voters that came out to support my effort to earn a seat on the town of Sterling Select Board,” Newman said. “It was a tight race, so your vote was important and extremely appreciated. Honestly, I’d like to thank everyone who came out to vote. Voting is the best way to have your voice be heard, and is vital to the health of our community. If I did not earn your vote on May 8, please know that I am committed to working for you and look forward to conversations that will help me to understand your needs and wishes. We all love our community, so let’s work together to make it the best it can be.”
Newman thanked the town clerk, election officials and Police Department “for their hard work in ensuring that our voters have a safe, well run voting experience.”
The other races were uncontested: Hannah Miller, Board of Assessors, 326 votes; Catherine Martin, Board of Health, 307; Heide Martin, 300, and Daniel Flaherty, 233, Board of Library Trustees, three years; Judith Doherty, Board of Library Trustees, one year, 306; Blaine Bershad, Department of Public Works, 306; Robert Kneeland, Housing Authority, 292; and Andrew Gonsorcik, Sterling Municipal Light Board, 315.
No one was on the ballot for a five-year seat on the Planning Board. Receiving the top vote count among the write-ins was Michael Temple with 87, followed by Joyce Cutler, 20, and Mark Stodoski, 17. Temple, who ran a sticker campaign, was sworn in on May 9, Farrell said.
