Incumbent trustees Mary Bess Phillips and Julia Robins were returned to office in a tight three-way contest today.
Robins polled 223 votes and Phillips 221, with political newcomer Paul Kreiling pulling in 195.
A fourth candidate, Mary Given, who announced two weeks ago she was no longer seeking election to the board, but whose name remained on the printed ballot won 37 votes.
There were 49 write-in votes cast but not counted since they were immaterial.
Robins, elected to her second four-year term, let out a long sigh of relief after the final tally was read. She said her first Election Day running for re-election had been a long, nerve-wracking day.
Phillips said she was “comfortable with” the result.
Kreiling, smiling broadly despite his defeat, said he is thankful to the community for the support.
“I gave it my all,” he said of the race, “and I appreciate the support I got.”
Voting took place today at the Third Street firehouse, where candidates, village officials and interested residents assembled to watch the ballots counted.
There were 340 ballots cast on the voting machine and 40 absentee ballots. Fifteen absentee ballots were disqualified by election inspectors for being improperly completed, leaving 25 to be tallied.
Mayor George Hubbard remarked that it was a close race and all candidates “had valid points.”
“We have a good working board and we’ll continue to get work done for the people of the village.”
SoutholdLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
