HADLEY — In a surprise victory Tuesday evening, challenger Donald Pipczynski overthrew incumbent Select Board Chairman Guilford B. Mooring II for a seat on the board.
Incumbent John C. Waskiewicz II was the top vote getter with 509, while Pipczynski came in second with 471 and Mooring landed in third with 440. The three candidates were vying for two seats on the town’s board.
In the other contested race, incumbent Treasurer Linda J. Sanderson handily beat out challenger Kristen J. Parmenter 617 to 205, according to official results given by Town Clerk Jessica Spanknebel Tuesday evening. Spanknebel won her uncontested race for another three-year term.
“It’ll be an exciting meeting tomorrow night,” said Waskiewicz outside Hopkins Academy after hearing the results from Sanderson and her husband, Planning Board member William Dwyer. “I’d just like to thank the voters for another three years, and hopefully I can live up to their expectations — I just hope we can straighten out the budget for citizens and taxpayers and move forward with the work that needs to be done.”
Down the road at the American Legion on Route 9, Pipczynski’s reaction was split between disappointment with the voter turnout and eagerness to get to work on the town’s budget.
“I’m very disappointed with the turnout,” said Pipczynski of the 838 ballots cast. The turnout represented approximately 23 percent of the town’s voters. “There’s so much apathy — it’s a trickle-down from federal and state and it makes its way into municipal government.”
Pipczynski said the budget will be front and center during Wednesday’s meeting.
“I’m really concerned with the budget and I want to get into that tomorrow,” he said. “It’s important to get a handle on it before the May 5 Town Meeting.”
Planning Board member John Mieczkowski was at Hopkins Academy as the results were coming in and was excited by Pipczynski’s win.
“It’s a very good day for Hadley,” Mieczkowski said. “Donald Pipczynski got elected and I hope things’ll turn into an open government like it should be.”
Mooring was disappointed with the upset, but said he’s confident in the two winners and in the future of the board.
“I’m a little sad,” said Mooring of the loss. “But there’s two good candidates and the Select Board will carry on and take care of the town of Hadley.”
Sanderson was not expecting such a huge win and was grateful for the support.
“I’m very happy,” she said, smiling. “I’m very grateful for the support and I look forward to getting back to work first thing in the morning.”
Dwyer attributed Pipczynski’s upset to strong campaigning.
“He was really signaling he wanted the job,” Dwyer said of Pipczynski, who served two Select Board terms in the 1980s. “He put in a lot of effort to show he wanted back on the Select Board.”
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.