Election judges Jane Fowler, left, and Margery Lillard with the ancient cigar box that has been used to collect ballots in Barnesville elections for as long as anyone can remember.

Barnesville resident Joyce Bailey stopped in the doorway of her new town hall on the way into Monday's election and looked around with raised eyebrows.

"I'm impressed," she said. "This is my first time in. ... I love it."

Bailey said the unassuming 1920 building currently under renovation appealed to her for its authenticity and potential.

"Barnesville is authentic if nothing else," agreed fellow resident Tina Brown. "So the town hall now defines the town."

Shortly before, Brown had been admiring the hall's exposed wooden slats and beams. "I like it with the studs exposed," she said to Commissioner Bonnie Brown. "I'm sure other people want walls but the artist in me loves seeing the materials."

Seventy-three of Barnesville's 118 eligible voters cast ballots in Monday's municipal election, returning Bonnie Brown and Mayor Pete Menke to office as well as electing first-time candidate Luke Fedders. Houston Miller, who has served on the town commission since 2001, was defeated.

Government in the approximately 160-resident town consists of a mayor and two commissioners. A municipal election is held every two years for all three unpaid positions.

"We had a little shocker," town clerk Patty Menke observed Tuesday. She said she had talked to Fedders about how his declaring his candidacy eight days before the election would "give [him] a better chance next time. He said, 'Yeah that's what Pete said,' but he won."

Fedders could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

On election night he shook hands and chatted with voters feet away from the aging brown cigar box holding the town's ballots.

"What happens, happens," Fedders said. "No reason to be nervous around friends."

For many visitors it was a first look at the town hall acquired by the town in December 2003. For about 50 years town elections have been held in a resident's garage while meetings take place in local homes or churches.

"It's really, really cool," Lisa Hilton said as she looked around the building, which still has holes in the ceiling and other structural repairs to be completed.

"We're getting up to the big time now," added her husband Woody Hilton.

Several observers noted that voters seemed to linger longer this election, enjoying the cookies and éclair cake provided by Menke, as well as the spring weather.

"This belongs to the town," Bonnie Brown said. "It's not someone's kitchen; it's not a church or someone's garage. I think people will feel more comfortable coming to meetings and events here."

"It's more a public space than a private," added Dalis Davidson, who wore a piece of paper declaring her support for husband Houston Miller pinned to her shirt. Miller was traveling Monday.

Barnesville recently completed a two-year project with the planting of trees and other plants throughout the town. Davidson, a member of the town's beautification committee, said four crab apple trees are being saved for installation at town hall once a space for the parking lot is determined.

Residents touring the hall Monday also mentioned the possibility of art classes or other activities in the space someday.

"[The hall] just exudes what I call personality," the mayor said. "It has what my mom would call possibilities."