BERNARDSTON — Although there are no contests on Monday’s town election ballot, a 15-year selectman is not seeking re-election.
During last week’s Selectboard meeting, Town Coordinator Louis Bordeaux presented Selectboard Chair Bob Raymond with a plaque honoring his service. Raymond said he decided last year that he wouldn’t seek re-election for another term, and candidate Ken Bordewieck is running unopposed to fill the seat.
“I’ve been here for 15 years. I love this town,” Raymond said. Of Bordewieck, he added, “I’m sure he’s a person who loves Bernardston and wants the best for Bernardston. I’m very happy that he stepped forward to do this.”
Bordeaux and Selectboard member Stanley Garland shared in offering well wishes to Raymond, recalling memories of serving in town government alongside him.
Bordeaux, who moved to town in 2004, recalled meeting Raymond at the United Church of Bernardston in 2005.
“Although other people were looking to speak with Bob, he took the time to make this newcomer feel like he belonged, and I never forgot that,” Bordeaux said.
In addition to serving in town government together, Bordeaux got to know Raymond by volunteering at events, “everything from cooking hamburgers and hotdogs over at (Bernardston Elementary School) to helping set up the field for the Gas Engine Show.”
“Bob Raymond has never steered me wrong. He’s been a friend and a mentor, and he’s been the best boss I could ever hope for,” Bordeaux continued. “While I know for certain this is not goodbye, it is so long, and thank you for all that you’ve done for your friends and neighbors in this wonderful town of Bernardston.”
“I can remember the first time Bob came into the meetings,” Garland added, remembering how meticulous he was at reviewing paperwork, “to the point where he drove us nuts because it wasn’t long until he knew more about the warrants than we did.”
Raymond said that although being a selectman isn’t an easy job, and it “takes hours of time if you do the job the way it should be done,” he has enjoyed serving alongside wonderful people in town government.
“I’ve been yelled at like hell, people have sworn at me, a lot of times people have said good things about what I’ve done,” he recounted. “And I can only say that I’ve tried my best.”
While he would be a newcomer to the Selectboard if elected, Bordewieck, 67, has served in other roles in town, including on the Finance Committee, Planning Board and Powers Institute trustees. He also chaired the Cooley Dickinson board of trustees.
“The reality is I love the town of Bernardston and always have taught my kids that you have to give back,” he said. “There’s no way I can replace Bob Raymond, but I’m certainly willing to do my part for the town.”
Bordewieck, who retired from a 43-year career in banking in 2017, moved to Bernardston with his wife, Nancy, a wildlife rehabilitator and chair of the Council on Aging, in 2002. When he retired, he was executive vice president, chief operating officer of Easthampton Savings Bank. The Wellesley native earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and political science from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in business administration from Babson College.
Since retiring from banking, Bordewieck took up studying to become a residential real estate appraiser, earning his license to operate independently in January.
Bordewieck feels his skills in finance and accounting would be an asset for Bernardston.
“There’s a lot of financial challenges that every small town faces,” he said, referencing the needs of schools and the ever-growing senior population, as well as infrastructure projects the town is grappling with, such as a Fire Station addition.
He also noted the challenge Bernardston faces to attract new residents. If elected, his goals include “making the school system as good as it can be so people want to live in Bernardston and attend” Pioneer Valley Regional School, just as his three children did.
In addition to a three-year term on the Selectboard, the following positions are on Monday’s town election ballot, without opposition. Polls will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
■Board of Health, three-year term — David I. Powers, incumbent.
■Constable, three-year term — Byron L. Call.
■Cushman Library Trustees, four seats with three-year terms — Wendolyn J. Abramson, incumbent, Brandon J. Grover, incumbent, Anne-Marie G. Mallon, incumbent, and Susan J. Hackney.
■Powers Institute trustees, four seats with three-year terms — Robert H. Eddy, incumbent, Greta M. Shores, incumbent, Ingrid Wiemers Skiff, incumbent, and Janet M. Wrightson, incumbent.
■Powers Institute trustees, one seat with a two-year term — Eric Almeida.
■Recreation Commission, two seats with three-year terms — Jennifer M. Stennes, incumbent.
■Tax collector, three-year term — Mona A. Minor, incumbent.
■Tree warden, three-year term — Bradley W. Bordewieck, incumbent.
Town Clerk Christina Slocum-Wysk said she is aware of at least two write-in candidates seeking positions for which there is no one running on the ballot. Marsha Pratt is running as a write-in candidate for a three-year term as a Warner Fund trustee and Andrew Easton is a write-in candidate for a three-year term on the Recreation Commission.
Reach Shelby Ashline at 413-722-0261, ext. 270 or sashline@recorder.com.