CONWAY — Voters opted for a new face in town government in Thursday’s election, choosing political newcomer Christopher Waldo to join the Selectboard.

Waldo, 42, earned a three-year term on the Selectboard with 190 votes to Fire Chief Robert Baker’s 168 votes. In the other contested race, Roxanne Parent was elected to a one-year term on the Board of Assessors with 214 votes to Troy Lucier’s 134.

Voter turnout was 360, or 25% of the town’s 1,460 registered voters, according to Town Clerk Laurie Lucier.

Waldo, the assistant vice president of field services for QuadGen Wireless, is a relatively new resident to Conway, having moved to town in April 2021. Waldo said he is grateful residents took a chance on a new face in town.

“In all honesty, I was very surprised. Going up against Bob was a Herculean event for sure, seeing as how he’s been a great fire chief,” Waldo said. “I was hoping people would open their arms to new residents like myself. … It shows the graciousness and loving nature of everyone in town.”

In taking his first-ever political role, he said it’s going to be a “learning experience,” but he’s ready to take the role head-on and serve his town.

“I am always up for a challenge, and this is definitely a challenge. It will be exciting for me,” Waldo said. “I’m going to heavily rely on Erica (Goleman) and Phil (Kantor) and Bob Armstrong as well, who’s been great so far.”

As he gears up for his three-year term, Waldo said his priorities are getting to know more people in town, while also encouraging them to take part in local government.

“It’s meeting more people and the rest is going to be homework,” Waldo said. “And trying to get more people involved.”

The other election results for uncontested races are as follows:

■Board of Assessors, three-year term — incumbent Natalie Whitcomb, 303 votes.

■Board of Health, two seats with three-year terms — Emily Sweet, 308 votes, and Kathy Llamas, 298 votes.

■Frontier Regional School District School Committee, three-year term — Jared Campbell, 292 votes.

■Conway Grammar School Committee, two seats with three-year terms — incumbent Elaine Campbell, 287 votes, and Jared Campbell, 280 votes.

■Planning Board, two-year term — George Forcier, 280 votes.

■Planning Board, three-year term — incumbent William Moebius, 280 votes.

■Constable, three seats with three-year terms — incumbents Ronald Hawkes, 315 votes; Brian Blakeslee, 297 votes; and James “Jimmy” Recore, 305 votes.

■Town clerk, three-year term — incumbent Laurie Lucier, 312 votes.

■Moderator, one-year term — incumbent James “Jimmy” Recore, 305 votes.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.

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