On Tuesday, voters in Follansbee chose Scott McMahon, a former councilman, to serve as their mayor while also selecting news representatives of the 1st, 4th and 5th wards for City Council, while a majority of Wellsburg voters expressed their desire to have an elected police chief.

McMahon emerged the winner of the mayoral race, receiving 402 votes, while incumbent David Velegol Jr. received 170 votes.

All totals are unofficial until ballots are canvassed at 6 p.m. Monday.

Called for comment, McMahon said his win was “equal parts exciting and humbling. I had a lot of support from friends and family during my campaign. It makes you feel excited to get started in serving the citizens of Follansbee.”

McMahon said one of his first objectives in office will be assessing the city’s budget, including revenue and expenses, in an effort to address financial concerns that have been raised in recent years.

“I really want to work with the city manager and council as a team. We may not always agree, but if the end goal is the betterment of Follansbee, we’re doing our job.”

All of the contested council seats were filled with new faces.

Joe Kafton was elected to a council seat representing the 5th Ward, Rudy Cipriani was selected to represent the 4th Ward on council and Anthony D’Ulisse won the 1st Ward council seat.

Kafton received 112 votes while incumbent Wendy DeAngelis received 96.

Of his victory, Kafton said, “It feels great. I appreciate everyone who supported and helped me. I look forward to serving the citizens of Follansbee and hopefully, righting the ship.”

He said as a council member he will support the recently proposed creation of a code enforcement officer to address public nuisances.

Cipriani received 96 votes while Steve Varlas received 22.

Incumbent Frank Pedersen chose not to seek re-election to the 4th Ward seat.

Cipriani — who served previously as 4th Ward councilman as well as mayor and city clerk — said, “It’s nice to get back in and work with a new council and city manager and hopefully get the city moving in the right direction.”

He said his goal will be working for the city’s financial security, including ensuring the Urban Development Action Grant trust fund is fully restored, and pushing for street paving and other improvements.

D’Ulisse received 47 votes, while incumbent Tammy Johnson received 14.

On his win, D’Ulisse said, “I feel good. Now it’s time to go to work.”

He said he will be learning quickly various aspects of city government in an effort to serve residents well.

Follansbee voters also were surveyed about whether council members and other city officials should continue to hold two- or four-year terms.

Placement of the issue on ballots was intended only to gauge public opinion and doesn’t bind council to citizens’ vote.

A total of 358 voters supported keeping the two-year terms while 179 voters favored the longer terms.

Wellsburg voters were faced with their own issue: whether the city’s police chief should continue to be an elected office or become an appointed position.

A total of 64 votes were cast in favor of amending the city charter to allow for an appointed chief while 77 votes were cast against it.

All totals are unofficial until ballots are canvassed on Monday.

City officials who supported an appointed chief said current chief Mike Allman was an experienced law enforcement officer when he ran for the office but future candidates might not have such qualifications.

They suggested if the chief were appointed, council could ensure a qualified person fills the position.

Allman, who was unopposed in his bid for re-election, was a vocal opponent of the move, saying voters should have the right to choose a person they believe is best for the job.

Voters in Wellsurg’s 3rd Ward re-elected Tom Gaudio to represent them on council, while those in the 4th Ward selected newcomer Larry Swanson to serve them.

Gaudio received 69 votes, while his opponent, Jeff Hawkins received 12 votes.

Noting it was an election with few challenged races, Gaudio said he’s nonetheless humbled by the support he received.

Asked what issues will concern him in the next term, Gaudio said, “My number one concern has been local parks, but there are a lot of issues we need to work on. Of course, water is a big one.”

He noted city officials have been pursuing funding to replace aging water lines and make other improvements to Wellsburg’s water treatment system.

Swanson, a local Realtor who has volunteered for groups formed to encourage new development in the city’s downtown business district, received 20 votes, while incumbent Charlie Harris received seven votes.

Swanson expressed thanks to the voters who supported him and promised to be hear all residents’ concerns.

Regardless of votes cast on Tuesday, Follansbee Council was destined to change in some way on July 1, when the city’s officials start their new terms.

That’s because 2nd Ward Councilman Charles McCoy opted not to seek re-election, allowing current Councilman at large John Casinelli to file, as an unopposed candidate for that council seat.

He received 73 votes.

In addition, John Schwertfeger, a former Follansbee police chief, ran unopposed for the at large council seat and received 448 votes from voters across the city’s five wards.

Also unchallenged in Follansbee’s election were: City Clerk David Kurcina, City Attorney Michael Gaudio and City Police Chief Larry Rea.

Unchallenged in Wellsburg’s election were: 1st Ward Councilman Jack Kins, 2nd Ward Councilman Geno Capp and Mayor Dan Dudley.

Terms of winners in Wellsburg’s election also will start on July 1.

About 527 Follansbee voters turned out for its election, while about 156 cast ballots in Wellsburg.

Other unopposed candidates in Follansbee received the following votes: City Attorney Michael Gaudio, 357; City Clerk David Kurcina, 401; City Police Chief Larry Rea, 456; and 3rd Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich.

Other unopposed candidates in Wellsburg received the following votes: Mayor Dan Dudley, 140 votes; 1st Ward Councilman Jack Kins, 16; and 2nd Ward Councilman Geno Capp, 27.