WORTHINGTON — On Saturday morning, residents will have a four-hour window to cast their ballots for town officials, with the most prominent being a race for a one-year spot on the Select Board after Steve Smith stepped down earlier this year, whose term continues until 2026.

Polls will be open in Town Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Seven of eight candidates on the ballot are up for reelection, with one newcomer, Kathleen Ford, running for a spot on the Planning Board.

But it will be Deb Rocque and Walter Fritz who face off to fill the position on the Select Board for the remaining of Smith’s term.

Deb Rocque

After retiring from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) in January after almost 25 years, Rocque is hoping to take a dive into town politics.

A five-year resident, Rocque said that in addition to her own experience as a federal employee, “My parents were also state employees, so I have a passion for public service.”

She touts a career that had her running organizations, balancing budgets, and applying for grants — in addition to her lifetime passion and involvement in conservation work, which is exemplified by her having identified all the birds on the town’s pond.

She grew up in both Storrs, Connecticut, and Stonington, Maine, and her work with FWS had brought her to the Pioneer Valley — a career that has taken her from Alaska to the service’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Rocque received her doctorate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and became assistant director of FWS in 2019 after serving as deputy regional director in the Northeast Region for almost a decade.

“I think that brings me a lot of experience and perspective maybe not in Worthington right now,” she said.

She notes that budgetary issues pose a particular threat to the town. As Worthington heads for an override, she wants to see the potential for more life in the community of 1,100.

“Some people like the quietness, but we need to do something to bring in a few more faces and a few more dollars,” she said. She wants to bring this conversation to the table.

“And if people come here, they need somewhere to stay. You can’t have nowhere to go after a day on a hiking trail or the pond,” she said.

As a small business owner in town, she also understands the town’s unique market and economy. She co-owns Justamere Tree Farm, alongside her wife, who is a public defender, and a third owner.

Running for office for her is an opportunity to, “Step off the sideline and be in the game.”

Regardless of a win or a loss, she said she is, “grateful to live here.”

Walter Fritz

In a candidate statement on the town’s website, Fritz, who did not respond to requests for an interview, says he is a Worthington native who raised his children in the community.

Aside from his personal resume, which includes a career as director of manufacturing of Texon International in Russell, Fritz also lists his town-based accomplishments. His contributions to the community include 12 years as the town’s animal control officer, and until his retirement he had been a state wastewater treatment plant operator and would conduct monthly testing and reporting for Maples Senior Housing in Worthington.

Growing up, he was a member of Boy Scout Troop 710, and a leader of the group for several years. During an eight-year tenure as the chairman of the town’s Board of Health, he was charged with closing the landfill that was previously on Dingle Road and was instrumental in the development of the current transfer station.

“I also promise to bring some good old-fashioned Worthington common sense and fiscal responsibility to the table,” he wrote in his statement.

The ballot

Other candidates on the ballot will be:

■Amy Wong, for a three-year term on the Select Board.

■Richard Wagner, for a three-year term as assessor.

■Camille Smith, for a three-year term to the Board of Health.

■Willard Brown, for a five-year term as Cemetery Commissioner, North Cemetery.

■Cynthia Manley, for a five-year term as Cemetery Commissioner.

■The Finance Committee currently has a vacancy.

■The Worthington School Committee needs two chairs filled. One nominee is Allison Todd and the other spot is vacant.

Samuel Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com.