Barry said both he and Nally have the best interests of the town in mind.
Louis M. Barry, former Police Chief, is now on the Granby Selectboard.GRANBY – Louis M. Barry, the town's former police chief, won a seat on the Selectboard in the town election Monday. His opponent was Steven R. Nally, treasurer for the town.
Barry will replace Wayne Tack, who served on the Selectboard for nine years.
Barry described the race as “quiet and non-controversial. Both of us have the best interests of the town in mind,” he said of himself and Nally.
Town Clerk Katherine Kelly-Regan said 665 residents voted, which represents about 15 percent of registered voters in Granby.
She attributed the low voter turnout to the fact that the selectboard seat was the only one contested, although she said a few people may have been discouraged by the bad weather.
Barry, who received 457 votes, retired as police chief in September. He teaches at Holyoke Community College and at the Reserve/Intermittent Police Academy in Springfield.
He also serves on the Library Building Committee and the Council on Aging.
He has said the major issues facing Granby include the landfill, which is about to close, the deterioration of some of the town buildings and the need to attract business that’s compatible with the town.
Although others on the ballot ran unopposed, there will be a few other changes in town government. Lynn Snopek Mercier will be the new town moderator. She is replacing Albert Bail, who stepped down this year.
“I hope to continue running the meeting smoothly,” said Mercier, a lawyer and adjunct professor at Bay Path College and Holyoke Community College.
Mercier said she was brought up in a family of public servants. “I thought this was a way I could serve my town,” she said.
Also new to elected office is Jessica Boardway, who will serve in the three-person Recreation Department.
“It’s very exciting,” said Boardway. She is also athletic director at Granby High School, and said the two roles have a natural connection for her.
“I just hope we continue to grow,” she said of Granby’s recreation potential, adding that she is especially interested in offering more summer activities for kids in her town.
Others new to their positions, though uncontested in the election, are Susan B. Haas of the Housing Authority, Lisa A. Anderson of the Planning Board and Robert F. Sheehan Jr. as commissioner of Trust funds.
