DRESDEN — Jeffrey Bickford won Friday’s special election to replace Gary Getchell as the town’s First Selectman.

Bickford received 122 votes, beating Christopher Cope with 102 votes, and Billy-Joe Dupaw with 19 votes. He will serve out Getchell’s term, which runs until 2027. Getchell resigned late last year.

Jeffrey Bickford Courtesy of Jeffrey Bickford

Bickford was on his way Tuesday to the Dresden Town Office to be sworn in.

“I am humbled by the support from people in town and the confidence in my ability to make the town better in anyway I can,” Bickford said.

The Jan. 31 special election was Bickford’s second time running for First Selectman. He ran against Getchell in July 2024 and lost by 20 votes.

On his first order of business, Bickford said he will meet with the other board members to see what tasks he can assist with.

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The town has started to plan its budget for next fiscal year and part of the process in doing so this year is to make a capital plan of projects in town to accomplish over the years.

“I want to add a little bit of relief as they have held down the fort for a couple of months. I think the capital plan is one thing (to work on) and I’m not 100% sure about its status, but I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. I am willing to do whatever they are willing to give me as far as tasks,” Bickford said.

Once he is sworn in, he will have to resign from his role as Dresden’s representative on the Regional School Unit 2 board of directors. Maine School Management Association considers serving on the two boards at the same time a conflict of interest, he said, but he will still attend RSU 2 school board meetings as a resident.

Bickford’s first official meeting is at 5 p.m. Feb. 11.

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