Salafia Wins Selectman Race, Forgue Reelected to School Committee

Longtime Planning Board member Paul Salafia grabbed the contested seat on the Board of Selectmen in the election Tuesday, garnering 46 percent of all votes. The Annual Town Election, held at Andover High School, also saw the reelection of School Committee chairman Dennis Forgue.

Roughly 9 percent of active voters, or 2,018 voters, showed up at the polls, according to unofficial results. The 9 percent was slightly higher than what was expected by town officials.

Salafia, a 17-year member of the Planning Board, garnered 935 votes Tuesday. Enfield Road resident Dan Kowalski was the runner up with 711 voters, or 35 percent. Chandler Street resident Larry Bruce brought in almost 13 percent of votes.

Salafia will be taking place of Selectman John Hess, who chose not to run for reelection.

Dennis Forgue, chairman of the School Committee, saw a much tighter win against Donald Gottfried, getting 51 percent against Gottfried’s 45 percent.

Here are the voting numbers and percentages for both contested race in the 2011 Annual Town Election: