CHESHIRE, Mass. — Incumbent Selectman Robert Ciskowski secured more votes than his opponent Mark Biagini and will return to the board. 

 

Ciskowski was the clear winner Monday night with a total of 297 votes, which was more than enough to defend his seat from political newcomer Biagini.

 

"I want to thank everyone that came and voted, and it is certainly an honor to serve Cheshire," Ciskowski said. "We cut back benefits on highway workers. We took insurance away from some people, so these decisions have angered people but the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few and I think with my victory it is proof that the voters are approving of the direction the town is taking."  

 

Biagini, who received 191 votes, said he may run again in the future.

 

"I do very much see myself running and I couldn't have lost to a better person," he said. "Congratulations to him."

 

Bethany DeMarco won the most votes in a write-in campaign for the Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee with 76 votes. The seat was left open on the ballot. 

 

Annmarie Furey received 405 votes to win an unopposed seat on the Cemetery Commission.

 

The only other contested race was for town constable. Robert Copeland won the office with 306 votes to Andrew Kachel's 166.

 

Also, on the ballot were two questions.

 

Question One, which passed 290-188, allows the town to accept a Massachusetts General Law that authorizes the town to use public funds to remove snow and ice private ways open to public use.

 

The town put this on the ballot to codify its historic practice of plowing small roads that surround the lake so they are clear for emergency vehicles. 

 

Question Two, which passed 276-201, will increase the select board from three to five members. 

 

This question started as a citizens' petition some years ago. However, because of confusion over how to legally put the increase into action, the implementation has been delayed.

 

The petition now must be approved by the Legislature and if passed, the new members will be elected at the next annual election.

 

Voter turnout was low in Cheshire with a 21.4 percent turnout or 502 of the town's 2,344 registered voters making it to the polls.