Political newcomer Emily Newell, a local firefighter and 2004 graduate of Mount View High School, emerged the winner in annual Town Meeting voting this weekend for a seat on the Unity Board of Selectmen, while voters approved support for Unity Barn Raisers with tax dollars.

Newell defeated incumbent Selectman Clem Blakney, 182-122, Blakney said by phone Sunday. Blakney, who has been a selectman for just over four years, said Newell’s supporters campaigned aggressively.

Newell could not be reached for comment Sunday.

One of the most debated articles at the Town Meeting Saturday was a proposal to raise $10,000 for Unity Barn Raisers/Unity Community Center from taxation, a move that the three-member Board of Selectmen did not recommend. The Barn Raisers are a local non-profit group that helps small businesses get established and helps restore blighted buildings in Unity.

Blakney, owner of the Younity Winery, said Unity Barn Raisers in the past has received financial support from the town’s tax increment financing, or TIF district, and not from taxation.

“They are formidable group in the town in terms of their following,” Blakney said. “It was a very intensive meeting, a very long meeting and one of the things on the agenda that created quite a bit of consternation and tension was the money going to the Unity Barn Raisers. That was a new expense this year that we did not have last year.”

Voters approved $7,500 from taxation that was recommended by the town Budget Committee.

Blakney said he didn’t have all of the final budget numbers approved by voters at Town Meeting on Sunday, but said spending for the coming year will be up about $33,000 because of payments on the new Town Office and money for the Unity Barn Raisers.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

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Twitter: @Doug_Harlow