ALFRED – Voters handed incumbent Selectmen Glenn “Doc” Dochtermann a decisive victory in Tuesday’s election in Alfred, outpacing his closest opponent in the three-way race more than 3 to 1.
Dochtermann, who now begins his fourth term on the three-person Selectman’s Board, earned 473 votes, according to unofficial totals from Town Clerk Donna Buckley. His closest opponent, former longtime Selectman John Sylvester, earned 134 votes, and political newcomer Nancy O’Connell garnered 98 votes.
Incumbent Alfred selectman Glenn “Doc” Dochtermann was returned to the Selectmen’s Board by voters on Tuesday, earning a decisive victory over opponents John Sylvester and Nancy O’Connell. TAMMY WELLS/Journal Tribune
At a recent candidates night, Dochtermann said the current board has a solid working relationship with various town committees. He said the board has to work on the town’s fund balance. He said Alfred works within its budget – and plans to spend a bit more on the roads this year. “We have 43 miles of roads; one road (project) a year just won’t do it,” he said.
Working with the town’s professional staff is important, Dochtermann said, and added that Alfred has a good relationship with other towns and with the state. He said the town administration realizes that Alfred needs more industry and has worked carefully on making zoning changes that allow multiple uses in some areas.
“We count on each other, we’re a family,” he said of the current atmosphere at Town Hall. “We need to get along and work together on things.”
The race had been a publicly contentious one, unusual in Alfred.
There were with signs for and against Sylvester, political advertising by two municipal employees informing voters they would hand in their two weeks notice if Sylvester were elected. As well, there were political ads by current selectmen outlining their responses to ads Sylvester had penned about his thoughts on municipal issues since he resigned from the Selectman’s Board in February 2016.
Incumbent John Flagler was unopposed for a three-year term as an RSU 57 director. Eileen Connolly and Marta Northover went unopposed for terms as directors of Parsons Memorial Library
Results of the RSU 57 validation vote in Alfred were not immediately available.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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