ORANGE — Richard Sheridan is back on the Board of Selectmen, returning after a three-year absence by a 19-vote margin.
Sheridan, 69, of 101 Daniel Shays Highway, tied with opponent Richard Kwiatkowski in Precinct 1 and won narrowly in Precinct 2, 346-327 overall. Both candidates waited for Town Clerk Nancy Blackmer’s announcement in the Orange Armory and Kwiatkowski congratulated Sheridan.
Sheridan said now he has to live up to what he campaigned on, and the narrow victory means more work.
“That wasn’t a mandate. Shows work’s got to be done,” he said. “Means if I’m a good selectman, I’ll try to push some of the things he was going for, too.”
Of 4,768 registered voters, 678, or 14 percent, turned out to vote.
There were five unclaimed posts on the ballot, all for three-year seats, and the race for selectman was the only contest.
Other seats
Selected by write-in for those openings were: Arthur Savage as constable, Joshua Knechtel as tree warden, Richard Herk as water commissioner, and Michelle LeBlanc as a non-veteran trustee of the Soldiers’ Memorials. All are three-year positions. There were no write-ins with a majority for the open library trustee seat.
On the ballot and elected unopposed, all incumbents and all for three-year seats unless otherwise stated:
Moderator — Christopher J. Woodcock of 323 North Main St.
Board of Health, one year — Elizabeth S. Bouchard of 21 Meadow Lane, non-incumbent.
Constables, three seats — James E Gallagher of 38 Smith Ave. and Randy D. Plante of 272 Mechanic St.
Elementary School Committee, three seats — Amy L. White of 64 Carpenter St., Sarah E. McMaster of 73 Wheeler Ave. and non-incumbent Jessica Knox of 317 Tully Road.
Regional School Committee, two seats — Peter M. Cross of 31 Logan Ave. and Christopher D. Paul of 98 East Main St., No. 3.
Library trustees, two seats — Candace L. Cross of 31 Logan Ave., non-incumbent.
Cemetery Commissioner — George C.F. Willard of 76 Harrison Ave.
Trustee of Soldiers’ Memorials, veteran — James E. Cornwell of 1 Prescott Lane.
Housing Authority, five years — non-incumbent Doris M. Cutting of 200 East River St., No. 1.
You can reach Chris Curtis at: ccurtis@recorder.com