GILL — Charles Garbiel was voted onto the Selectboard in an uncontested election on Monday. Garbiel takes the Selectboard position formerly held by John Ward, who did not run for re-election.
The election also included a ballot question on whether to allow a debt exclusion for the purpose of replacing damaged flooring in the Gill Elementary School building. The question passed by a vote of 65 to 9.
The election drew 78 voters in all, according to Town Clerk Doreen Stevens.
Along with the Selectboard race, the ballot also had several other uncontested elections, including the re-election of Town Clerk Stevens and Moderator Isaac Bingham, both for three-year terms.
Garbiel, who has served on the town Cable Advisory Committee and is the owner of the Shady Glen diner in Turners Falls, is taking the place on the Selectboard that John Ward held for four terms.
“I’d like to be more involved in the community,” Garbiel said previously of his interest in the Selectboard. “I want to have a part in some of the decisions.”
The debt exclusion vote is related to repairs at Gill Elementary School that the Selectboard has discussed. Floor tiles have begun to peel from the floor, potentially releasing hazardous materials into the air. Rooms that have been affected have been closed and locked to students and staff.
The debt exclusion vote authorizes the town to exempt financing for the project from the normal legal restrictions regarding how town expenses may affect the tax rate. The amount of debt the town may take on to pay for the project is not included in the ballot question, but it will be explained when the project is proposed for Town Meeting approval.
Beyond the Selectboard, several other uncontested elections were on the ballot. Thomas Storrow was re-elected to the Board of Assessors for three years. Joan Pilsbury was re-elected to the Cemetery Commission for three years. On the board of library trustees, Anna Hendricks was elected for three years and Tara Savoie was elected for one year.
A Board of Health position that had no candidates on the ballot remains vacant.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.