Durant takes Dudley and 6th Worcester District

Fire ladder truck approved

Republican  incumbent State Representative Peter Durant took three of the four towns in the newly drawn 6^th Worcester District: Dudley, Charlton, and one precinct in Spencer. His Democratic challenger, Charlton selectwoman Kathleen Walker, won the most populous town, Southbridge, but it wasn't enough.

Mr. Durant said he was glad to be done and was ready to go back to work. “I'm happy with the results in Dudley,” he said. “I'm glad the people in Dudley accepted me as their state rep.”

While he did not win Southbridge, he said he was still happy with the results, as on a percentage basis he did better than he did in the 2010 election. He hopes to change minds as he keeps working and doing more. Between now and January when the new House session starts Durant said he will be working on legislation he wants to introduce.

“I'm disappointed that I didn't prevail,” said Ms. Walker, after losing the election.. “We gave it a valiant effort. Over 100 volunteers worked their hearts out. I'm grateful for that and for the over 7,000 people that voted for me.

“I got a lot out of the campaign: I learned a lot, and made many great friends,” she said. “I don't regret any of it. I'm a little more liberal than the people in Charlton and Dudley,” she continued, “and I knew that.” 

Dudley: Durant 2,782; Walker 2,088

Charlton: Durant 3,022; Walker 1,924

Southbridge: Durant 2,951; Walker 3,323

Spencer: Durant 910; Walker 407

Dudley voters signed up to spend $725,000 for a new aerial ladder truck for the Fire Department. Fire Chief Dean Kochanowski had made a compelling case for the new equipment, citing the frequent breakdowns of the current 32-year old ladder truck. While the debt exclusion will add 87 cents to the tax rate, or $182 for the average tax bill, the debt exclusion for the Crawford Library will be paid off in the Spring of 2013, so that taxpayers might actually see a small decrease in their tax bill. Voters approved the question 2,845 to 1,978. 

Voters rejected another proposal on the ballot, a Proposition 2 ½ override for $500,000 to fund various school and town items, including EMS personnel and Police Department overtime. The vote was 2,148 yes and 2,749 no.