Philbrick: Victory tally "took me totally off guard"

Paul Philbrick (Courtesy photo)

LEBANON - Newly elected Selectman Paul Philbrick said as Town Clerk Laura Bragg was announcing candidate totals after the polls closed Tuesday night, he didn’t think the numbers added up to a victory for him.

“I was the last person on the list and I was trying to add up the numbers and doing the calculations,” he said today. “I didn’t think I’d gotten enough. Then she mentioned my total, and a reporter turned around and started interviewing me. It took me totally off guard.”

Philbrick said all the other candidates were very cordial and friendly after the vote and he’s looking forward to his first official meeting this afternoon at 4 p.m.

He said he’s looking forward to helping to keep moving the positive momentum the current selectmen have put in motion.

“I want it to keep going in the same direction, to keep that openness,” he said.

He said the town had some problems in the past with checks and balances and was looking forward to going through some of the old ordinances to see where they can be improved.

He also said he’s acutely aware of the selectmen’s duty to taxpayers to keep taxes down.

“There’s a lot of people out there, especially older people, having trouble staying in their homes,” he said.

Philbrook garnered 237 votes in Tuesday’s Special Election, followed by Richard “Chip” Harlow with 147, Royce Heath with 107, Robie Marsters with 68 and Corinna Cole with 55.

A total of 617 votes were cast, including 122 absentee ballots.