Hilchey bests Wolfram for Deerfield Selectboard seat

Election signs outside Deerfield Town Hall on Monday.

Election signs outside Deerfield Town Hall on Monday. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Election worker Nora Owens checks resident Debra Wojtowicz in to vote at Deerfield Town Hall on Monday.

Election worker Nora Owens checks resident Debra Wojtowicz in to vote at Deerfield Town Hall on Monday. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

TIM HILCHEY

TIM HILCHEY

By CHRIS LARABEE

Staff Writer

Published: 05-07-2025 11:58 AM

DEERFIELD — Select Board Chair Tim Hilchey was reelected to his seat on Monday, fending off a challenge from former Select Board member David Wolfram, 814-558.

Hilchey’s victory came as he faced Wolfram in a rematch of the 2022 town election, which the former also won. Voter turnout was about 33% — down from last year’s 10-year high of 44% — as 1,370 of the town’s 4,104 registered voters cast their ballots at Deerfield Town Hall.

Town Clerk Cassie Sanderell said there was steady turnout throughout the day, despite rainy conditions. The Select Board contest was the only contested race.

Hilchey, who will be entering his second Select Board term, said he was thankful for the support of townspeople as he works with his fellow board members and town employees to push Deerfield’s myriad projects forward. The crux of his platform was continuing to bring state and federal dollars to the community to fund projects like the 1888 Building rehabilitation, which he has served as the Select Board’s lead on, and ensuring the $23 million-plus reconstruction of the Stillwater Bridge doesn’t impact taxpayers.

“I was really heartened to see that people support the things I’ve been pushing to accomplish, so that’s gratifying that they want me to continue doing these things,” Hilchey, 66, said Tuesday morning. “I’m happy to do it.”

He commended Wolfram, as well as any other person, for wanting to get involved in town government, as “anybody who has the courage to want to run for public office deserves our respect.”

Hilchey said is he looking forward to continuing the work he has done with fellow board members Trevor McDaniel and Blake Gilmore. On the immediate radar is the 1888 Building project, which is currently out to bid, and streetscape improvements on Elm Street, which will “beautify the downtown and make it safer for people.”

He also commended the staff at Town Hall, which has seen several new hires over the last few years.

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“I think they’re the most amazing team that’s been in place since I’ve lived in Deerfield,” Hilchey said, “and I think they’re going to do great things for the town.”

Other election results are as follows:

■Board of Assessors, three-year term — Frank Leone Jr., incumbent, 1,090 votes.

■Constable, three-year term — Sharyn Paciorek, incumbent, 1,070 votes.

■Deerfield Elementary School Committee, two seats with three-year terms — Anne Curtis and Carey Etchells, both incumbents, 1,074 and 917 votes, respectively.

■Elector Under the Oliver Smith Will, one-year term — Jason Heffner, 1,005 votes.

■Frontier Regional School District School Committee, three-year term — Damien Fosnot, incumbent, 998 votes.

■Planning Board, two seats with three-year terms — Emily Gaylord and Kathleen Watroba, both incumbents, 988 and 1,033 votes, respectively.

■Tilton Library trustee, three-year term — Kathleen O’Rourke, incumbent, 1,070 votes.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.