By Courtney Nguyen
Correspondent
May 13, 2008 03:45 am GEORGETOWN – Evan O'Reilly will take the spot vacated by Lonnie Brennan on the Board of Selectmen after beating opponent Daryl Barta, 743-551, in yesterday's town elections. Voter turnout was lackluster, with just 1,347 voters coming to the polls compared to last year's total of more than 2,500. "I feel great about winning. I am so happy," said O'Reilly, 24. "I want to congratulate Daryl on her great campaign. She's a great person. I appreciate the support of the town. I love Georgetown and will show it over the next three years." Barta is leaving the School Committee after serving for six years. "The town voted, and I wish Evan the best," she said. The town also approved making the Board of Selectman a five-member board, meaning at least three seats will be open at next year's election. Other winners include John Enos for the Board of Assessors, who will keep his seat over opponent Joe Soucy; James Viera won Water Commissioner over Sandy Gerraughty; Chris Rich won a spot on the Planning Board over Shirley Greenberg; and Bertha Foster bested Suzanne Lind for a spot on the Housing Authority. A $91,000 Proposition 21/2 override was approved to pay salaries for a new fire chief and per diem EMTs at the Fire Department, a take hike of about $30 per year for the average household. However, residents denied three one-time debt exclusions totaling $148,000 for schools to pay for new vans for special education students, a copy center and upgraded security. "We'll have to review the budget. I am surprised that people didn't want to make an investment to save the school money in the future. People want to complain about the cost of public education, but then not invest in reducing future costs," said School Committee chairman George Moker. "As a result of these failures, the town saved a one-time cost of $93,000 (for vans and copiers) at the expense of $55,000 in added savings per year." Superintendent Carol Jacobs said that, while she is disappointed, this is the democratic process at work. "We'll just have to go to Plan B," she said. "We'll have to look at leasing vehicles and copiers, and keep the security system we have." Residents also voted against two one-time debt exclusions totaling $175,000 to repair roofs at the public safety building and the highway department garage. "The roof problem is not going to go away," said police Sgt. Donald Cudmore. "With increases in energy and building costs, not to mention the damage to the building, the cost to fix everything is only going to go up every year. This is a no-win situation."
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