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Nackawic voted in its first female mayor Monday night.

Longtime Coun. Rowena Simpson beat former councillor Rebecca Boulter 272 votes to 196.

"Being the first female mayor isn't the biggest thing for me, just being the mayor is but it's nice," said Simpson. "I am just really pleased that I am going to have this opportunity to give my own personal touch to town politics."

Simpson, who has served on Nackawic town council for 16 years, seven of which as deputy mayor, says her experience should allow for a smooth transition as she takes over the post from Bob Connors.

"There is nothing like experience and I feel very confident I can handle this leadership position," she said. "It takes teamwork and I have a great council but I just want to start right away at my first meeting and try to get things going really smoothly."

Simpson's husband, Robert, was Nackawic's mayor from 1974-1983.

"I like the fact that my husband was mayor," she said. "We are probably the first husband and wife team and it's nice we have both gotten the chance to be mayor of this nice little town."

She lists health-care services as a main priority. She was instrumental in the building of the Nackawic Health Care Centre in 1991. As mayor, she hopes to see it upgraded.

Joining Simpson will be Paul Legere, Karen Howell, Jacques Laroche, Brian Grant and Peter Seymour.