Todd Sawyer

WATERFORD — Political newcomer Todd Sawyer handily beat incumbent Wyatt Andrews, 124-29, for a three-year seat on the Board of Selectmen on Friday.

“First I would like to thank Wyatt Andrews for his dedicated years to the town,” Sawyer said in a phone interview.

Sawyer also thanked voters for their “support and confidence” and said he looks forward to working with the board in the best interest of the town.

Sawyer, whose family has been involved in local politics for years, is a lifelong resident of Waterford and a manager of a locally operated, internationally owned construction company, and works throughout Maine and parts of New Hampshire.

During his campaign, Sawyer said Waterford, like many other municipalities and the private sector alike, is facing changes in the labor force that will need to be addressed. In the case of Waterford, he said, a talented and experienced, but aging, workforce may force changes in the way things are done as the longtime labor force starts to retire.

He said all options that are in the best interest of the town will need to be considered to address the issue, including changes to organizational structure, partial or full privatization, equipment upgrades and changes.

Andrews was elected selectman in 2010 as a write-in candidate.

Other board members are Randy Lessard and John Bell.

Voters re-elected SAD 17 Director Judith Green to a three-year term. She received 133 votes.

Action on the 70-article warrant continues at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Municipal Office at 366 Valley Road.

Voters will be asked to approve a $1.82 million municipal budget, which is slightly lower than $1.85 million approved in 2018.

ldixon@sunmediagroup.net