WINDSOR — When the votes are counted Tuesday, Carita Richardson is expected to be the first female mayor in the town’s 108-year history.

Richardson, a one-term councilwoman, is running unopposed for mayor.

“Well, it looks like I will be the first woman to fill the post,” she said. “Unless, of course, there are a lot of write-in votes.”

A former high school teacher, the 60-year-old grandmother said she was never involved in politics until running for the Town Council in 2006.

“I found that I really liked it, though, and it gets more interesting all the time,” she said.

Richardson wanted to become mayor because there are some issues she believes are best tackled by the town’s top elected official.

“As a council member I have been instrumental in getting some things done,” she said. “But I think the mayor would have a little more influence.”

A resident of Windsor for 40 years, Richardson taught at Windsor High School for 30 years. She said she loves the town and is very interested in its future.

“There are several things that need attention, and they would be the first things on the agenda,” Richardson said. “One is planning for the future. With the expected growth, including the Intermodel Park, we need to plan more for what the town will look like, instead of going with just what happens. We need to be proactive, instead of reactive.”

Richardson said the town also needs to plan for better use of its money.

“We need to be good stewards for our citizens’ tax money. That’s what they expect us to do,” she said.

“The other aspect of planning is to look for new businesses and being business friendly,” she continued.

Richardson said the town has been working on that by establishing an economic development committee.

The active councilwoman said that when she becomes mayor, she will be available to listen to and be more responsive to citizens.

“Even now, when a citizen calls me, I listen and try to solve the problem, if there is one,” Richardson said. “And, if I can’t, I’ll find someone who can, if possible.”

She can’t say enough good things about the Town of Windsor.

“The people are wonderful. If you need help, they’re right there to assist you,” Richardson said. “The town is growing, of course, but it still has that small-town atmosphere and is an ideal place to raise a family.”

“My son, Ley, who is a chemical engineer at Du Pont in Richmond, his wife, Chrisy, and their daughter, Reese, live in Chesterfield County, but my son still calls Windsor his home town,” Richardson added.