St. Hilaire pleads guilty to stalking

Former selectboard member sentenced to 6 months probation

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

Former Williston Selectboard member Gordon St. Hilaire pleaded guilty to stalking Monday in Chittenden County Criminal Court, accepting responsibility for actions he took that led his ex-girlfriend to fear for her safety and suffer emotional distress.

St. Hilaire resigned from his selectboard seat in December after Williston Police cited him with stalking and unlawful mischief. He pleaded not guilty to both charges during a November arraignment, but changed his plea during a court appearance Monday in Burlington.

He was sentenced to six months of probation with the condition that he not have any contact with the victim. A sentence of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 was deferred, and the unlawful mischief charge dropped, pending the successful completion of probation.

“I want to sincerely apologize to (the victim),” St. Hilaire said during Monday’s hearing. “She can be reassured that this will never happen again … I’m trying to move forward with things that are helping me and I will continue to do that … I just want her to know that I’m very, very sorry. I wish her the best in the future.” see ST. HILAIRE page 7

St. Hilaire’s attorney, Brooks McArthur, noted that St. Hilaire has no prior criminal history and has been seeing a mental health professional.

“I’ve never been in a situation like this, and I never will be again,” St. Hilaire said.

Recount confirms Isham’s selectboard win

The Williston Town Clerk’s office completed a recount Monday of the results of last Tuesday’s Town Meeting Day election, confirming the three-vote victory of Mike Isham over Ellie Beckett for a seat on the Williston Selectboard.

Beckett requested the recount after the 772-to-769 vote tally was reported by the Town Clerk last Tuesday evening. She remains a member of the Williston Planning Commission.

“I hope I can continue to serve Williston in other capacities,” she wrote in a letter to the Observer, published in full on Page 7.

Isham will serve the remaining year on the three-year seat vacated in December by Gordon St. Hilaire (see related story above). The seat will be up for election again next March.

Isham’s first meeting with the board is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21 at Town Hall.

Jason Starr