The candidates running for the Hudson Board of Selectmen had the opportunity to make their pitch to voters at Candidates Night held on Thursday night, Feb. 20 at the Hudson Community Center.
“For the Board of Selectmen, we have two positions for three-year terms and six candidates,” explained Town Moderator Paul Inderbitzen.
The first candidate was longtime resident Todd Boyer.
“Although I did choose a life in the private sector, my desire to serve the community has never gone away,” he said. “I currently serve as an alternate on the Hudson Planning Board, but I want to continue doing more in the town. As a business owner, one of the things I’m most proud of is the ability to keep 18 different personalities working as a team.”
He promised to bring productive energy to the Board of Selectmen.
Candidate Mark Fauteux emphasized his history in the area, including his graduation from Alvirne High School in 1982.
“I’ve lived in Hudson for over 35 years,” he said. “Once I graduated from high school, I worked in the construction field full-time, starting at the bottom, working hard and learning all the aspects of residential and commercial construction.”
Unlike many other candidates, this was Fauteux’s first time running for office in Hudson, as he advocated keeping the “flavor” of the town intact.
Candidate Marilyn McGrath wanted to address the loss of much of the town’s rural farmland.
“I previously served two terms as a member of the Board of Selectmen, with liaison assignments with the Police Department, Finance Department, and the Municipal Utilities Committee,” she said. “The loss of farmland is really sad. Farms existed where Sam’s Club and Walmart now are. A farm existed where Market Basket now sells groceries.”
McGrath is a lifelong resident of Hudson and previously served on the Planning and Zoning Boards.
Candidate Pete Sessions wanted to encourage residents to involve themselves in local affairs, himself included.
“The only way to make a difference here is to get active!” said Sessions. “I’m a retired technical writer, I’m a detail-oriented guy, I like numbers, I like analyzing problems, I like solving problems. My slogan for this campaign is ‘Proud to Live in Hudson.’”
He praised the effectiveness of the Hudson’s town government, for making “the most of every dollar” spent and called for “growth in a responsible way” to increase the tax base.
Candidate Xen Vurgaropulos hoped to put his years of organizational experience to use.
“With over 15 years of experience as a maintenance supervisor for JetBlue, I manage large operations, and budgets, and balance immediate needs with long-term planning,” said Vurgaropulos. “I’m running for Selectmen because I believe I can be a voice for every resident of the town.”
He also talked about working together with residents to serve the town.
Incumbent Selectman Chair and candidate Bob Guessferd was attending his daughter’s wedding and unable to attend Candidates Night, although he wrote a letter expressing his interest in another term as Selectman.
“I was appointed as a Selectman by a judge in the Hillsborough County Superior Court in August of 2021,” wrote Guessferd. “I’ve learned how important it is to be able to interact effectively with members of the board, listen to their opinions, and respect their perspective. I would like to have the opportunity to build on this past three-and-a-half and help continue to lead Hudson forward.”
He also pushed for greater cooperation with the School Board and expressed optimism about the upcoming update to the Master Plan.
