Vance edges out Szegda in Columbia

Republican candidate and current deputy selectman Carmen Vance edged out Democratic challenger Richard Szegda for the empty first selectman seat Tuesday.

“I’m very excited,” said Vance after she heard the results in Yeomans Hall. “I think I’ll work very hard to work up to the expectations of the citizens who voted for me.”

Vance donned a red sweatshirt reading “Elect Carmen Vance First Selectman.”

The top elected position was left vacant this election by outgoing Democrat Donald Cianci, who did not seek re-election.

Vance beat Szegda at the polls Tuesday, with voters electing her as the new first selectman with 738 votes for her and 508 votes for Szegda.

With a total of 1,263 votes cast Tuesday, approximately 35 percent of the registered voters in town participated in the election.

Vance, along with Szegda, waited in Yeomans Hall with members of their respective parties after polls closed to learn the results.

Vance, 68, who has been a member of the board of selectmen since 2003, ran for the second time after Cianci narrowly beat her for the post in 2005.

She said she thought the experience she has gained in town by serving on various boards and commissions has prepared her for the position.

Vance has previously served on the board of education, the Columbia Historical Society, the Columbia Senior Organization and seven other committees.

She said this experience - combined with her regular attendance at other town meetings - made her suitable for the position.

Vance’s campaign platform included:
• Keeping Columbia affordable.
• Supporting the agricultural heritage and rural character of Columbia.
• Collaborating with the board of education and superintendent.
• Improving the town’s infrastructure.
• Creating affordable housing for seniors.
• Increasing volunteers in Columbia.

She said her first issue of business would be to work with Town Administrator Jonathan Luiz to re-organize the town’s finance department.

With charter revisions also passing at the polls Tuesday night, Columbia now must retool its finance department with the head of finance now reporting to the town administrator.

Previously, the finance head reported to the town and the school superintendent.

According to Vance, she plans to meet with Cianci to discuss what issues are left over on his “plate” before he steps down from the post later this month.

Although he lost the race for the top elected position, Szegda will remain on the board of selectmen for another two years because his term does not end until 2011.

He said he would continue to push the need for more youth services in town, but would work with Vance to continue the betterment of Columbia.

Expanding the town’s youth services was a major platform in Szegda’s campaign.

He supports a push in town to have Columbia join up with nearby Andover Hebron Marlborough Youth Services.

“I still have things I think are important,” Szegda said, adding he would use his current post as selectman to address issues in town.

Szegda said he had not yet decided if he would run for the first selectman post in four years, but, until then, he plans to work with fellow selectmen to keep the board “cohesive.”

“Carmen and I have worked together for six years now,” he said. “We’ll continue to do that.”

Democrat Robert Hellstrom was also elected Tuesday night.

Hellstrom, Vance and Szegda will join Republican Rebecca Stearns, whose term ends in two years. There is still a vacancy on the board caused by Republican Lisa Roy opting not to seek re-election.