Ward received 481 votes and Wisnewski received 350 in an election that drew 10% of registered voters.
GREENFIELD – The results of the city’s preliminary election are in and two candidates have been chosen to run for an at-large seat on the Town Council in the general election.
The field has been narrowed to Cameron P. Ward, who received 481 votes, and Mark P. Wisnewski, who received 350 votes.
The third contender, Karen T. Renaud, received 307 votes, according to town clerk Maureen T. Winseck.
Wisnewski is the former councilor for Precinct 5, a position he held for five years.
At-large councilor Daniel Guin said earlier this year he would retire from his seat after almost a decade.
City officials had petitioned the state to allow them to cancel the preliminary election because of the high cost and historically low voter turnout in non-mayoral contests.
This year’s turnout was 10 percent, according to town clerk Maureen T. Winseck.
“I’m very, very pleased to have received the most votes,” said Ward. “The next thing we need to do is find out why 9,000 people didn’t vote.”
“It’s very important to me that everyone in Greenfield is heard,” he said. “I am anxious to find out what the other 9,000 voters want for their town."
Winseck brought the proposed election cancellation to the Town Council. After Tuesday’s ballots were tallied, she said, “I think democracy is always good. The democratic process survived.”
The general election will be held June 14. There are 11 seats available. The at-large councilor position is the only contested race.