Heller holds on, Seery is new town clerk

Town clerk remains an elective position

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

BROOKFIELD - Michael Seery is the new town clerk, and he’ll be holding that job for the next three years. The town voted 402 to 204 to keep the town clerk position elective, causing Selectman Rudy Heller, who’ll be holding the selectman’s seat for another three years to say, “The town has made a clear statement – the voters want to elect the town clerk, and the selectmen can work very well, as in the past, with the people’s choice. In fact, we can work well no matter what.”

Heller, regarding his own 442 to 337 win over contender David Olson, said, “I’m happy the campaign is over, and I’m glad that I had an opponent. I think it’s a positive thing for voters to have a choice. Of course, I’m pleased that they chose me – it’s a vote of confidence. I’m glad that I won; I’m humbled, and will not let the people down.

“My wish it that the town can achieve some sort of reconciliation; I hope the anger that was seen during the campaign will disappear. We cannot foster those sorts of feelings and move forward. I hope I can help to make that (reconciliation) happen. We are all neighbors; we can achieve so much more if we work together.”

He went on to say that he was pleased with the turnout of 771, or 33 percent of the 2,334 electorate. “Of course I wish it were 66 or even 100 percent, but still, this is encouraging.”

Incumbent William Frangiamore, winning with 432 votes, was strongly challenged by Steve Comtois, who garnered 403 write-in votes.

Seery, whose campaign for town clerk cited his past and present record in town politics, said he was pleased to have the majority, 415 of the votes, over challenger Sheila Frangiamore, who made a strong showing at 332. “This job will be my first priority. There is much to do, with the new open meeting laws to take effect on July 1. Linda (Lincoln, the retiring town clerk) has promised a smooth transition. I’ve worked with everyone at the town hall; I’ve lived here all of my life. I’ll be available to everyone; I plan to have more evening hours. I thank everyone for their support. I promise to prove that you’ve made a good choice.”

Seery is currently Chairman of the Board of Health, and was re-elected unopposed on Monday with 564 votes.

He is also transfer station administrator, title V administrator, and health agent, zoning board of appeals chairman, cemetery superintendent, and local cable access committee member. He is a notary public. He has in the past served in several elective positions including that of selectman, planning board and advisory committee member, and police study and treasurer search committee. Aged 43, he and his wife Janet have four children.

Richard Lapierre won one of the two constable positions with 327 votes; incumbent Joseph Murray retained the other with 333 votes. Murray’s son Kris, an incumbent with a close 305 votes, lost his seat to Lapierre. Candidate Nicholas Abair garnered 271 votes, losing his bid for the seat.

Incumbents who ran unopposed were elected with the following numbers: Assessor, Brenda C. McElroy, 596; elementary school committee, Donald Faugno, 601; Tantasqua Regional School Committee, William J. Gillmeister, 519; Planning Board, Daniel F. Leahey, 552; Cemetery Commissioner, Peter Masuzzo, 578; Trustee for shade trees, Ronald Couture, 773; Water Commissioner, Robert Barnes, 557; Board of Health, Daniel Leahey, 525; Trustees for Merrick Public Libvrary, Sally Brown, 520, Barbara Steadman, 554. There was not a candidate for a 5 year housing authority term. Town Clerk Linda Lincoln said there were several write-in votes.