EMBDEN -- Wendell Routon scored one victory of sorts on Saturday, but his tumultuous three-year term as chairman of the Board of Selectmen came to an end.

In unusually high voter turnout, residents chose Scott Lehay to replace Routon on the board. Lehay, director of transportation and maintenance in School Administrative District 74, defeated Routon 159-100.

In another ballot item, residents by a 158-93 decision cast a vote of no confidence in SAD 74 Superintendent Regina Campbell. Routon has been an outspoken critic of Campbell, accusing her, among other things, of being a big spender.

Campbell, who lives in North Anson, did not attend the meeting.

Earlier in the week, Routon asserted that Lehay was Campbell's "hand-picked" choice to run against him. Lehay, sitting in the audience Saturday, emphatically denied that charge.

"She's my boss but she doesn't tell me what to do outside the job," Lehay said. "I was asked by a group of citizens to run."

More than 100 people attended the town meeting itself, which had proceeded through only a few articles when the election results were read.

Residents vented their frustrations with escalated tax rates in the vote against Campbell. The superintendent had nothing to do with the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) state funding formula that focuses largely on property values. That formula has taken a huge toll on lakeside communities such as Embden.

Routon, however, said that Campbell has consistently spent more than stipulated in EPS guidelines, and has ignored the town's request that communities have some say in school-consolidation talks.

Contacted at her home, Campbell said that, if anything, SAD 74 is frugal.

"SAD 74 spends a much lower percentage over EPS than any other district in our area," she said.

Though Routon had the support of fellow Selectmen Chuck Taylor and Edwin Thebarge, he faced considerable opposition from former town officials.

It took Routon two years, but he finally was able to win town approval to build a town office. Previously, town business was conducted in the homes of town officials.

Only this past week, Routon complained that a group of residents was conducting meetings to plot against some town policies. The group wants to do away with the winter roads contract with Sam White, Routon said.

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