Updated at 9:32 p.m.
Bennington voters reelected an incumbent and picked two new members Tuesday for the seven-member Select Board whose visions align with a faction of the board who want to pursue bold development and growth plans for the town.
Jackie Matts, Jim Sullivan and incumbent Tom Haley won the three seats up for election in the crowded, 10-candidate Bennington Select Board race.
“The voters of Bennington have spoken clearly about the direction they want the town to be going, and I’m honored to be able to be a part of that,” Matts said on election night.
“The results couldn’t be clearer,” Sullivan said. “The people of Bennington want people on the board who are positive, who have a forward-looking vision for Bennington and will work collaboratively on making Bennington an even better place to live.”
“I don’t think there’s any doubt about what voters want to see in the selectboard,” Sullivan said.
“The voters of Bennington heard our message loud and clear,” Haley said. “I’m humbled by the support, and I am looking forward to continuing the work we’ve done.”
The hotly contested election comes after board meetings have grown more acrimonious in recent months.
Recent disputes on the selectboard have centered on questions of federal funding going toward key projects in the town, namely redeveloping the former Bennington High School into housing and a community hub, and building a skate park. These projects were identified as community needs and pursued by the current board.
The board’s two newest members, Clark Adams and Nancy White, have pushed back against the use of federal funding for the projects underway. They claim the town has been fiscally irresponsible with grant funding and has lacked transparency. But other incumbent members who have shepherded the two projects have expressed concerns about what they say is a lack of understanding of the board’s policies and procedures by Adams and Clark.
The election of Haley, Matts and Sullivan means board members favoring the use of federal funds for development projects will control a majority of the board.
Most candidates gathered at the Bennington Firehouse Tuesday night where they waited for election results. Sullivan garnered the most votes with 1,277. Matts followed with 1,109 and Haley netted 1,104. Beau B. Alexander Sr., Mike Bethel, Kelly Brundige Carroll, Maria Corrales, Jack “Ripper” Hurley, Martha J. Mackey and Jack Rossiter-Munley also ran for the three open seats.
After the results came in, Matts and Haley headed to celebrate with friends and supporters.
“Frankly, I’m exhausted,” Haley said. He joked about looking forward to finally eating a vegetable after weeks of campaign pizza and cookies.
Matts said pizza was on the menu to celebrate the victory, but “the work starts tomorrow.”
With regard to how he was feeling, Sullivan was succinct: “One word: tired,” he said.
He celebrated his win at Harvest Brewing in Bennington. “I’m very grateful. I’m looking forward to getting my feet under me,” he said.
The newly elected members will take their seats in April. The current board members will meet twice more in March.
