11.10.2000 08:25
Democrats' grip on council at an end
By JOSEPH R. LaPLANTE
Journal Staff Writer
EXETER
-- The Republican Party gained control of the Town Council on Tuesday by winning four of its five seats, leaving Krista Weller as the lone Democrat on the body, according to final, unofficial results provided late Wednesday by the state Board of Elections.
The results will be official once the town's Board of Canvassers certifies them at a later date.
Democratic Town Council President Kenneth L. Fernstrom lost both his council seat, by finishing seventh in the 10-candidate field, and also a bid for state representative from District 52.
With 130 mail ballots and total votes cast tallied by the state board, former Exeter-West Greenwich School Committee member Ross L. Aker topped the field by garnering 1,375 votes.
Aker said that after a decade of Democratic control, the council would be reenergized by the Republicans.
"I think we will try to get more things done," Aker said yesterday. "Things were postponed under the other party. One of the first things I want to do is increase the tax exemptions for elderly and veteran residents of the town."
"I've been successful in business," said Aker, 58, who works for the Amica Life Insurance Co. "I'm interested in what is best for the town. I think we will forget partisanship and just work toward that common goal: what is good for Exeter."
Incumbent Democrat Kristen M. Weller was second in the council voting, with 1,275 votes. Wayne E. Cross was reelected with 1,220 votes, and William J. Devanney collected 1,198 votes.
Richard G. Kenyon joins the council with 1,177 votes.
Voters also approved four of the five local referendums. They said yes to changes to the Town Charter that would create the position of part-time tax assessor and eliminate the three positions of elected tax assessor; they approved increasing the limit required for the competitive sealed-bid process from $2,500 to $5,000; and they agreed with the proposal to add alternates to the Planning Board.
Voters turned thumbs down by a narrow 18-vote margin, 1,133 to 1,115, to a proposed charter change that would have created the position of town manager.
Voters approved a $500,000 open space bond, 1,730 to 616.
In other races:
Incumbent Town Moderator Peter V. Lacouture, a Democrat, defeated Republican challenger Carla N. Benoist, 1,394 to 959.
Incumbent Tax Assessor John D. Majeika, a Democrat, edged Republican Earl Adams, 1,167 to 1,136.
Zoning Inspector Paul E. Picerne, a Democrat, defeated Republican Gardiner C. McLintock, 1,179 to 1,128.
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