PARIS — After a tumultuous year that included a chaotic annual town meeting, residents disgruntled with the budget process, and elected officials and municipal staff leaving, Paris is starting 2026 with a new Select Board.

Scott Buffington and Rob Federico Sr. were elected Tuesday to fill two seats left vacant by abrupt resignations this fall.

“Paris is facing a lot of challenges,” Federico said Wednesday. “I want to help move forward with solutions and work with the board and the citizens to use their ideas. There have been a lot of good ideas.

“We need to look at our short-term and long-term goals,” he said. A review of the comprehensive plan from about 2007 and the Market Square plan from about 2013 “are good starting points.”

Buffington will serve the six months remaining of former Vice Chair Matthew Brackett’s term; Federico takes over the term of Michael Bailey, which has 18 months remaining.

“I am incredibly honored and grateful to the citizens of Paris for entrusting me with this important role on the Select Board,” Buffington said in an email. “I understand the challenges our community is facing, and I want to assure everyone that addressing them will be my top priority. 

“We face two interconnected issues: the significant tax burden placed on our residents and businesses, and the urgent need to improve employee morale within our town offices and departments,” he said. “These are not separate problems — they are symptoms of the need for stronger, more efficient, and a town government that remembers who they are there to serve: the residents of Paris.”

The special election attracted six candidates, three for each post.

Buffington received 169 votes to Ronald Ramsey’s 106 and Michael Lance’s 94.

Ramsey placed third in June’s election that saw newcomers Stephen Cronce and Robert Ripley replace Christopher Summers and Peter Kilgore. Lance represents House District 79 in the Maine Legislature, which is comprised of Paris, Sumner, West Paris and Woodstock.

Federico received 189 votes in his race against challengers Troy Ripley and Matthew Gary. Ripley had 150 votes and Gary had 39. Ripley is chair of the Maine School Administrative District 17 board of directors. This was Gary’s first candidacy in a local election.

Buffington encouraged residents to reach out to him on any topic or concern at 207-890-1726 or  [email protected]. 

Federico may be reached at 207-890-8642 or [email protected].