About the new selectman appointed in Winchester

 By Matt Nanci Sentinel Staff

The Winchester Board of Selectmen has appointed a new member to fill a vacancy that’s existed since January.
The board chose Raymond C. Williams in a 4-0 vote at its meeting last week, according to Selectmen Chairwoman Roberta A. Fraser.

The selectmen made two previous attempts to fill the vacancy. Board members deadlocked 2-2 at their April 6 meeting and did not vote the week after because not all four members were present, Fraser said.

Williams was one of eight candidates considered for the seat. Fraser said she and the board liked his qualifications, including his previous experience in government.

He’s originally from New Jersey, where he worked in law enforcement for 25 years, according to the minutes of the meeting. Williams told the board he also worked for the U.S. Department of Justice for 10 years and has experience managing budgets of more than $8 million.

Williams fills the position left vacant by Kenneth Berthiaume, who resigned at the end of January, citing health reasons including a hearing impairment.

Berthiaume was in the first year of a three-year term. Notice of his resignation came after the filing period for elected town offices had closed, which led to the vacancy.

Williams will serve on the board until March, when voters will elect a candidate to serve the rest of Berthiaume’s term, according to Winchester Town Administrator Shelly Walker.

Matt Nanci can be reached at 352-1234, extension 1439, or mnanci@keenesentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @MNanciKS.