Hersam Holds On To Treasurer's Post [UPDATE]

Update: Thu, Nov. 17

The Town Clerk has released the official election results and they are available on the Town's website.

Update: Wed, Nov. 9

2011 Election Results

Approximately 24% of the Town's 12,336 eligible voters came to the polls for yesterday's elections, a number roughly comparable to 2009, the last year of municipal elections only.  

The vote totals were as follows:

First Selectman

Mallozzi (R) 2416

Selectmen

Jones  (D) 1030

Williams (R) 1784

Town Clerk

Weber (R) 2321

Town Treasurer

Corbet (D) 1430

Hersam (R) 1478

Board of Education

Bedula (D) 1639

Gress (R) 2034

Hobbs (R) 2235

Goodman (R) 1073

Board of Assessment Appeals

Fog (D) 1198

Markiewicz (R) 1853

McLevey (R) 1728

Councilmen

Emert (D) 1142

Paladino (D) 1083

Campbell (R) 1730

Karl (R) 2141

Murphy (R) 2069

Williams (R) 1777

Constables*

Vollmer (D) 954

Franco (D) 1109

Mitrakis (D) 790

Ponterotta (R) 1165

Young (R) 1591

Pepe (R) 1473

Furst (R) 1642

Lopez (G) 438

*In this race, seven positions were available. Lopez was defeated.

Original Story

(R), who has served New Canaan as Treasurer for 46 years, was returned for another term by voters in Tuesday’s election defeating challenger (D), 1478 to 1430.

When the results were announced at Town Hall Tuesday evening, Hersam took a moment to thank his opponent. "I firmly believe in the exchange of ideas," he said. 

Hersam said the Town benefits from a contested race and that when Corbet told him she would challenge him for the office he thought it was a positive. "I did not realize the kind of race they would run," he said, praising her as a formidable challenger.

Asked if he would support a reevaluation of the Treasurer's role, he said he would defer to the Selectmen and Town Council.

Corbet said the race was a, "Great opportunity for me to participate in the democratic process." She added her admiration for Hersam and said that, "New Canaan is fortunate to have so many talented people who give their time."

As for her future plans to participate, she said her immediate plans are to spend more time with her family and then, "I will think about what role is right for me."

In a race which turned on in the business of governing New Canaan, Hersam supporters argued that the Town Charter would not allow the more active role advocated by his challenger.

The public discussion of the Treasurer’s duties and obligations arose out of the investigation into the . Questions were raised about the authorization of payments made as a result of that arbitration and the Treasurer’s part in those events. 

The subsequent charged with looking into the problems associated with the project made a series of recommendations that included a review of the Town Treasurer’s duties and obligations. 

This race represented the only real suspense in Tuesday’s municipal elections. With the exception the race for Constable positions in which eight candidates vied for seven seats, there were no other contested elections. 

At celebrations following the announcement of the election results, First Selectman-Elect Rob Mallozzi, III said he is eager to get to work. Mallozzi said that he anticipates a seamless transition, given his experience as a member of the Board of Selectmen and the working relationships he enjoys with town officials.

Speaking of his fellow Board of Selectmen-Elect members Nick Williams and Beth Jones he promised a group that is eager to work in a collaborative effort. He said that beginning "Day One" they will be "action-oriented, goal-oriented and responsive" to the needs of New Canaan.