There were only two contested races in Rochester’s 2012 Town Election, but by the end of the day on Wednesday, April 11, the polling results proved close.

Jennifer Kulak was elected to the Plumb Library Board of Trustees with 159 votes, followed by Mary Duryea Levenson with 142 votes.

Kulak and Levenson will take the two open seats on the board after beating out Winston Sharples, Jr., who finished eight votes shy of a victory at 134 votes.

Following news of her win, first-time candidate Kulak said she wanted to get down to business.

“I’m excited to get right to work, share some of my ideas and go from there,” Kulak said.

Levenson said she would like to find a way for the library to better utilize technology.

“I want to make sure the library is preserved so people don’t have to go to other libraries out of town to find what they want,” Levenson said.

For Park Commission, Kenneth Ross edged out incumbent Travis Lalli for the one open seat.

Ross eked out a win with 120 votes, while Lalli fell short with 119 votes.

Despite the close polling numbers, Rochester saw a small percentage of registered voters on Election Day.

Of the 3,985 registered voters in Rochester, only 265 residents, or 6 percent, cast their ballots on Tuesday.

Town Clerk Naida Parker said the low voter turnout was most likely due to a lack of contested races.

Parker said she expects a much larger turnout on November 6 for the presidential election.

The remaining positions on the ballot were all uncontested races.

In addition to her Town Clerk duties, Parker will embark on her fourth term on the Board of Selectmen.

Parker said she looks forward to another three years “making the tough decisions” with her fellow board members.

“We can each go into a meeting with one idea, talk about it and the finished product becomes three ideas merging together,” Parker said.

“It’s really good to have a board that works well together and respects one another.”

Planning Board Chair Arnold Johnson will hold his seat after ten years and two terms with the board.

Previously, Johnson discussed several projects he would like to see finalized during his third term, including a Village District Overlay Plan and changes to the home-business bylaws.

“We try and have a balance between development and open space with an eye towards the town’s heritage,” said Johnson. “It’s important to give back to the community.”

Ben Bailey was also elected to a one-year term on the Planning Board.

School Committee Chair Tina Rood will head into her third term and seventh year on the committee.

Rood will be joined by her fellow committee member, Robin Rounseville, who will also keep her seat on the School Committee.

Both positions carry a three-year appointment.

Before the election Rood said she was pleased to continue to better Rochester Memorial School with Rounseville and the other committee members.

“Everyone brings their own perspective and everyone has a different take on things,” Rood said. “We really compliment each other’s strengths.”

Greenwood Hartley III will begin another three-year term as the town’s Moderator.

On the Water Commission, Michael Conway will take his first, three-year term, while Frederick Underhill Jr will serve a two-year term and Richard Charon will serve one year.

Dale Barrows will remain on the Board of Health for another three years, as will Jana Cavanaugh on the Board of Assessors.

On the Cemetery Commission, Veronica LaFreniere will maintain her elected-seat for another three years. Jeffrey Eldridge will embark on another three-year term on the Tree Warden Committee.

For a complete list of results, click on the pdf.