Library trustees retain their seats in recall election
ASHBY
By Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Staff Reporter

Library Trustees (l. to r.) John Mickola, Dwight F. Horan, Paul McGrail, Tim Bauman and Anne Reggio encourage residents to vote against the recall on Dec. 19 in front of Ashby Elementary School. Journal Photo/Rick Jollimore

The three library trustees facing recall petitions retained their seats with a majority of the voters at the Dec. 19 special election voting against removing them.

The trustees expressed relief and gratitude after hearing the results on Tuesday night.

“I am glad it’s over,” said Trustee Mathew Alfond. “I am glad for the town that it is over. We feel like we are somewhat vindicated.”

The election was called through petition, which cited voters’ disagreement with the management of the library personnel and the design and oversight of the library building project.

Twenty-three percent of the town’s 2,077 registered voters cast ballots during the election, for a total of 478 votes.

Alfond retained his seat by a vote of 269 to 202, Paul McGrail by a vote of 265 to 205, and Lisa Gordon by a vote of 267 to 203.

“It feels great,” McGrail said. “I’m glad that it’s over. It proved that we had the support in town.”

Katherine Chase places her vote into the ballot box during the special election on Tuesday, Dec. 19, while Wally Tiilikkala watches. Journal Photo/Rick Jollimore

There has been a vocal group of residents condemning the design of the renovated library and the trustees’ firing of library director Marja LePoer.

The three trustees had the chance to resign from the board after the recall petitions were filed, but they decided to face the public in the election.

“The people came out to support us and we really appreciate it,” McGrail said.

He said the work of the committee isn’t done, with either the building or with reestablishing the connection with community.

“[The recall proposal] divided the town and that is a shame,” Gordon said.

She and Alfond agreed it is time to move forward.

“It’s the way it should be,” she said. “We can get on with the library business.”

Residents Annette Acosta, Barbara Despres and John Steffian ran against the incumbents.

The votes were not tallied for the second part of each ballot question — to elect the challengers — so it was not clear how many votes each of those candidates received.

Town Clerk Lorraine Pease explained

the votes for the candidates running against the trustees would only have been counted

if the recall proposition passed.