BERNARDSTON — Monday’s election was the first in decades in which a well-known name was absent from the ballot.
D. William “Bill” Pratt, who helmed town meetings as moderator for about 30 years, died in March at age 74. He will be succeeded by Geoffrey Wilson of Dewey Street.
Wilson ran unopposed for the one-year elected position.
Most candidacies were unopposed in this year’s election. The Powers Institute Board of Trustees saw the sole race, with five vying for four open three-year seats.
Incumbents Ingrid Wiemers Skiff of Hartwell Road took 44 votes, Robert Eddy of Eden Trail 41, and Greta Shores of Church Street 48. Challenger Robert Messer of Parmenter Road took 33, and Kevin Snow of Hoe Shop Road 36, leaving Messer the odd man out.
Turnout was 3.8 percent, 56 voters of 1,487 registered.
Also elected, all incumbents and all for three-year terms unless otherwise noted:
Selectman, Robert Raymond of Turners Falls Road; Assessor, Russell Deane of Bald Mountain Road; Board of Health, David I. Powers of Merrifield Road; Constable, William G. Montiglio of Brattleboro Road; Cushman Library trustees, Nicholas A. de Ruiter of West Road, Wendolyn J. Abramson of Eden Trail, Beth G. Watrous of Brattleboro Road and caucus nominee Ann-Marie Mallon of Huckle Hill Road and, for one year, Jacqueline Lejeune of Huckle Hill Road.
Elected to the Recreation Commission were Bradley C. Curtis of Cross Street and caucus nominees Jennifer Stennes of Bald Mountain Road.
Also re-elected were: tax collector; Mona A. Minor of Couch Brook Road; town clerk, Paul W. Luther of Huckle Hill Road; tree warden, Bradley W. Bordewieck of Couch Brook Road; and Warner fund trustee, Marsha E. Pratt of Eden Trail.