Susan Clark 

A sigh of relief was heard from the Town Council as they voted unanimously to appoint resident Bill Jean as the new council member.

“Unbelievable!” exclaimed Chairman Paul Roy as the 6-0 vote rang in at a Wednesday, July 25, special meeting.

Ryk Bullock, one of the four original candidates seeking the position, clapped from his seat in the audience.

“I’m very, very, very pleased,” said Bullock, who added that Jean is a good choice and will do what’s best for the town.

The only item on the July 25 agenda – to see if the board could agree on a replacement for former Councilor Bill Van Anglen, who resigned May 8 – took only three minutes.

Jean has served on the Historic District Commission for about six years, and is currently vice chairman.

All six councilors seemed pleased with the outcome.

“Bill will be a major asset to the council. What’s more to say? It’s over,” said Roy.

The vote came after nearly three months of seeking candidates, council deliberations, list changes and a court petition by resident Roy Stewart to have a court judge intervene.

Town Manager Russ Marcoux said now that the board has appointed someone on its own, a judge should consider the petition a mute point.

“It’s time to put our differences aside and work together,” said Councilor Mike Izbicki.