Ron Rogers is the new Essex Ward 3 councilor.
He was elected in the by-election Monday night with 555 votes. Rodney Hammond was the runner-up with 250 votes. Rogers will replace Bill Caixiero who resigned from council in July.
Results of the Essex Ward 3 by-election, October 23, 2017.
Rogers says he is ready to hit the ground running with only one year left on this term of council.
"We need to start focusing on our basic infrastructure again. Our roads, our drains and street lighting, things like that. That's what really makes a real good livable community," says Rogers.
He says he hopes he can help "calm the storm" around the council table.
"I like to think that I'm a little bit of a diplomat, so I'm going to try to maybe smooth things over as much as I can between any adversaries and try to get us pointed to the work at hand," says Rogers.
Rogers has served three terms on council previously, and remains on a number of boards and committees.
"He can fit right in there. I'm sure he has watched and read our agendas in the past, he'll be right up to snuff in no time," says Essex Mayor Ron McDermott.
Rogers will be officially sworn in as a councilor at the next meeting of Essex Town Council on November 6, 2017.