ERVING — A former Selectboard member and a political newcomer are vying for a Selectboard seat in Monday’s town election.
Polls will be open at Town Hall from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The contested Selectboard seat is for a one-year term, finishing the term of Pete Sanders, who resigned from the board in January.
Also on the ballot, current Selectboard Chair Jacob Smith is running unopposed for another three-year term.
The two candidates for the one-year term are Scott Bastarache, who previously served on the Selectboard and the Erving School Committee, and Janice Vega-Liros, who has not been in an elected position before. This is the only contested race on the ballot.
Bastarache was elected to the Selectboard in 2016, and re-elected in 2019. He resigned soon after, saying he was no longer able to commit enough time to the Selectboard.
Before that he had served on the Erving School Committee for seven years.
“Things have changed. I have more time and capacity in my life, so I decided to run,” Bastarache said.
Bastarache did not point to any single issue motivating him to run, but noted the ongoing projects the Selectboard has been involved in — safety at the French King Bridge, a long-term effort to renovate streets and sidewalks, and the upkeep of the town’s parks.
“I don’t look at any one thing and say, ‘That’s what I’m running on,’” Bastarache said. “I look at being a Selectboard member. The topics will always change.”
He added that, because of his experience in town government, he has already developed relationships with the town’s department heads.
“I hope my track record speaks for itself,” Bastarache said.
Vega-Liros has not been in an elected position before, but she noted she has been involved in Town Meetings since 2007, after moving to Erving in 2006.
“I’m not educated in politics. This is going to be new to me. But I think I can do it,” Vega-Liros said.
She has also been involved in issues related to traffic in her neighborhood of Erving Center. Large trucks frequently use the residential side streets to get from Route 2 to Route 63, creating safety concerns.
Recently, the Church Street bridge — which is up the street from where Vega-Liros lives — has become another potential traffic issue, as the town considers whether to replace it, close it or restrict traffic on it.
However, like Bastarache, Vega-Liros said she is not motivated by any single issue. Rather, she said she wants to support the town and become more involved with the town government.
“I think the Selectboard members that we have right now are doing a great job. I want to be a part of that,” she said. “I want to see our town succeed. It’s a great place to live, just like the sign says.”
She also noted she would be the only woman on the board. Along with Smith, the other Selectboard member is William Bembury.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.