Voters in Follansbee chose Scott McMahon, a former councilman, to serve as their next mayor Tuesday, and selected new 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 as 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.

Cipriani received 96 votes while Steve Varlas received 22.

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

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

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.

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.

In addition, John Schwertfeger, a former Follansbee police chief, ran unopposed for the at large council seat.

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.