By Jodi Hausen,Staff Writer

WILTON – More than 500 voters turned out to vote on two selectmen’s races, a school board director seat and the SAD 9 budget Tuesday.

In the most hotly contested race, Norman Gould, 37-year veteran of the Board of Selectmen, was defeated by retiring Wilton schools Principal Paul Gooch, 270-201. Challenger Leanne McCutcheon received 47 votes.

Gould said Tuesday evening that he wasn’t disappointed. He’d gone into the race figuring it would be his last year as a selectman, and said he plans to tender his resignation for the Planning Board this week as well. Having served on the Planning Board for 22 years, he decided it was enough, he said. He hopes to serve on other committees like finance or the appeals board, he said.

“I’m not going far,” he said. “I’m happy the town put confidence in me for that many years. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather lose to,” he said about Gooch.

Having never run for any office before, Gooch said he was surprised when Gould called him to break the news and congratulate him.

“I feel a little humbled,” Gooch said Tuesday night. “I appreciate the support of the community and hope I can live up to their expectations,” he said. “I will work very hard.”

The race for SAD 9 school board was closer than anyone expected, including the candidates. Incumbent Susan Black beat Irving Faunce, 321-203.

Faunce said he was pleased with the results. Having lived in Wilton for less than a year, he said that if he had gotten 100 votes, it would have been good.

“I’m very pleased I got that much support,” he said Tuesday night.

“He did a good job, he ran a good race but I’m relieved,” Black said after the votes were counted Tuesday.

“I plan to keep going as I have been going. I’m concerned with the taxpayers but also want to do right for the schools,” she said.

The other selectman’s race was somewhat closer, with three candidates on the ballot and one write-in.

Terry Brann, a graphic arts instructor at Central Maine Community College, received 160 votes, winning him the seat. Warren Rollins received 131 votes; Rebecca Haley, 118; and Kyle Ellis received 44 write-in votes.