By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Northborough – With no contested races on either ballot, both Northborough and Southborough saw low voter turnout for their respective annual town elections May 13.
In Northborough, Leslie Rutan, an incumbent running for another term on the Board of Selectmen, received 293 votes. Incumbent Michelle Gillespie received 228 votes for a seat on the Planning Board. And with no official candidates running for the open seat on the Northborough K-8 School Committee, Jennifer Drohan was successful in her write-in bid, receiving 64 votes.
According to Town Clerk Andy Dowd, of the 10,510 registered voters, there were only 293 who cast votes.
In Southborough, the turnout was only slightly higher. Of the 6,997 registered voters, 387 participated. John Rooney, running unopposed, was re-elected to another term on the Board of Selectmen, with 307 votes. ?Roger Challen, also running unopposed, won a seat on the K-8 School Committee, with 283 votes.
Southborough voters also approved two questions on the ballot. By a vote of 250-134, they approved a measure to increase the Board of Selectmen from three to five. That must next be approved by the state Legislature. Voters also approved, 312-69, a measure that will now allow the town administrator to sign town warrants, payables and vouchers.