01:00 AM EST on Thursday, November 6, 2008

CHARLESTOWN — The day after voters swept acting Town Council President James M. Mageau out of office and gave all five council seats to the candidates backed by the Charlestown Citizens Alliance, Mageau — who was the only incumbent running for reelection — said he was “proud and satisfied” with what he accomplished during his one term.

It was because of his leadership, he said, that Hopkinton voters approved two of the three bond issues proposed for the Chariho Regional Schools. “I think they realized how important it is to have the three towns in there together,” he said. “And they also realized Charlestown would not withdraw under the conditions that some of the people in Hopkinton were advocating.”

After the new council is sworn in Nov. 17, he said, his only role will be as a member of the Democratic Town Committee.

Alliance President Daniel Slattery said his group was “absolutely thrilled” with the wide margin by which alliance-endorsed candidates won. The five, from Marjorie F. Frank with 2,608 votes to Charlene Q. Dunn with 2,424, far outpolled the sixth-highest vote getter, Raymond Stanley Dreczko Jr., who garnered 1,350 votes. Of nine candidates, Mageau came in last, with 798 votes.

Calling the outcome a mandate, Slattery said the council would no longer be in “a constant deadlock.” The new members, he said, “will restore good government and civility to the council.”

Lack of civility is why Marjorie Frank got involved, she said last night. The retired physical therapist promised that the new council would work in the open, listen with civility and “do what the people of Charlestown want.

Town Administrator Edward M. Barrett, who was hired by Mageau and two other council members without a search process or public comment, said he had no comment on the outcome of the election.

Slattery said he couldn’t comment on whether the new council would ask for Barrett’s resignation or require him to reapply for the town administrator’s job.

— Donita Naylor