Lincoln council swears in members

LINCOLN — Steve Clay was re-elected chairman, and David Whalen and Bruce Albert were sworn in as the Lincoln Town Council held its post-election organizational meeting Monday night, Town Manager Glenn Aho said Tuesday.

Council members re-elected Jeff Gifford as council vice chairman as well, Aho said.

The housekeeping meeting was brief as councilors handled only routine business; they usually don’t set a legislative agenda for the next year, Clay said. Still, he would like to see the council work on further controlling municipal spending and lowering taxes, Clay added.

“We are always looking to lower that for residents,” Clay said Tuesday. “Being chairman is a lot of work, but I have enjoyed it and feel good that other councilors trust me to do it again.”

With the election filling a seat vacated by the resignation of the late John Weatherbee, the council is at full strength for the first time since July 7, Aho said.

“We had been operating with six councilors since John’s resignation, so it’s nice to have a full complement with new ideas and new perspectives,” Aho said. “I have worked with Bruce before, and he brings a lot of passion to the position. He served as the budget committee chair for several years, and he has done a wonderful job.”

As an artist, Whalen probably will be able to help the council promote the town, which is one of its jobs, Aho said.

Incumbent Rod Carr, Albert and David Whalen were elected to the council on Election Day. With 1,479 and 971 votes, respectively, Carr and Whalen defeated challenger Byron Sanderson, who received 733 votes, Town Clerk Lisa J. Goodwin said.

Albert ran unopposed to fill Weatherbee’s seat and received 1,618 votes.

With 1,936 votes, the Republican Gifford also won the state House District 12 race, defeating Democrat David F. Fitzpatrick, who had 1,143 votes.