Baker claims Selectboard seat in Rowe

BILL BAKER

BILL BAKER

By DIANE BRONCACCIO

For the Recorder

Published: 05-20-2024 12:42 PM

ROWE — William “Bill” Baker won his write-in bid for a three-year Selectboard seat in Saturday’s town election by a vote of 44 to 19 against write-in candidate Margaret “Meg” Pallotta.

“I’m just happy to be able to contribute to the town,” Baker said following his victory. “I will try to make sure the town keeps our taxes low and that we continue to make this a livable town.”

Baker, 55, ran Baker’s Office Supply in Greenfield before closing the storefront about a year ago, and he still runs the commercial equipment division of the business. In Rowe, Baker served a three-year term on the Finance Committee.

“I’m also looking forward to meeting a lot of our newest [townspeople],” he added.

The town said “yes,” by a 61-11 ballot vote, to a proposal to change the elected town clerk position to an appointed job. The idea was previously approved during Rowe’s Annual Town Meeting on May 13, as such a change requires support at both Town Meeting and the ballot box.

Town Clerk Kevin Balawick reported that 90 votes were cast — almost 28% of the town’s 326 registered voters.

The following candidates won election or reelection to the following positions. All are for three-year terms, unless otherwise noted:

■Board of Assessors, incumbent Ellen Miller.

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■Board of Health, incumbent Herbert Butzke.

■Cemetery Commission, incumbent Jay Williams.

■Finance Committee, incumbent Marilyn Wilson.

■Finance Committee, incumbent Wayne Zavotka.

■Finance Committee, one-year term, write-in Sue Gleason.

■Library trustee, incumbent Catherine Snyder.

■Park Commission, incumbent Hannah Poplawski.

■Planning Board (five-year term), Kevin Balawick.

■Planning Board (four-year unexpired term), Matthew Stine.

■Planning Board (three-year term) write-in candidate William Semanie.

■School Committee, Beth Balawick.

■School Committee (one-year unexpired term) Matthew Stine.