Savoy Has New Town Clerk; Write-In Wins Selectman's Seat
SAVOY, Mass. — Retired postal worker Brenda Smith beat Ronna Brandt Tynan for a three-year term as Savoy's next town clerk in Wednesday's election, said outgoing clerk Jane M. Phinney.Brandt Tynan's husband, Selectman John Tynan, also came up short in his race. He was beaten by write-in candidate Fred A. Sawyer, 104-83.
Sawyer was called, and accepted the post, said Phinney.
Savoy has about 729 residents, of which approximately 520 are registered voters, and 198 showed up to vote. Phinney was impressed with the turnout.
"Incredible, to tell you the truth. For a location election, it sure was [good]," said Phinney.
Phinney, of Barnard Road, began as town clerk in 2000, but said recently that at age 77 she was ready for a break.
Phinney said the final tally for the clerk's race was 102-83: "They were neck-in-neck the whole way."
Brandt Tynan did keep, however, her three-year seat on the Park Commission with 145 votes.
A three-year term on the School Committee that was being vacated by member Chris Andersen was filled — by Andersen.
Andersen, who had said he didn't want the post, received 37 write-in votes anyway and changed his mind to continue on the board. Alicia Williams had received three write-in votes.
A three-year term for assessor will continue to be held by Samuel Davis, who received 22 write-in votes.
Phinney "got a landslide" in a write-in race for the Cemetery Commission, she said. She took the three-year seat with 14 votes over Karen Freitag's three. The latter is resigning, anyhow, said Phinney. “So I'm quite sure it's mine."
The one-year moderator post held by Eric Krutiak will be retained by him, with 43 write-in votes. "I'm assuming that he will accept it," she said
.
A five-year term on Planning Board will remain open, as there were no definitive votes for any one candidate.
"Believe it or not, that was just the worst [to count]" because, she said, "There were umpteen" single votes cast for individual candidates.
The opening follows last year's resignation of Jamie Reinhardt, who stepped down because of outstanding obligations.
The tax collector post will continue to be held by Susan McGrath, who was returned to the three-year seat with 167 votes.
Phinney counted votes until 11:30 p.m., for 3 1/2 hours. That wasn't the longest voting night ever for her, though. One year, during a big state election, she counted votes until about 1:30 a.m.,
she said.
Contact Noah Hoffenberg at hoff1013@gmail.com.
Updated on June 15, 2009, to reflect updated information on the School Committee election.
