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11/14/2017 11:00 PMIt’ll be another two years in office for Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., as he narrowly defeated Democratic challenger Salvatore Maltese by slightly more than 100 votes.
“I am looking forward to another two years of doing our duty to the people of East Haven by running an efficient government, and helping them have a better and safer community to bring up their children and their families,” Maturo said.
Although it wasn’t by the largest of margins, Maturo called the win one of the biggest of his career. He said the win proves that hard work, such as taking care of residents and putting money back in their pockets pays off on election day.
Maltese said the issues that he and his team brought forward, such as the old high school on Tyler Street, the bleachers behind the middle school, and Board of Education concerns enlightened residents and will make the town stronger. He said town will survive and go on, even though voters went a different way.
“I had a lot of people that…believed in me and just worked hard, and I really thank them for that,” Maltese said.
He also said it was a shame that more people didn’t come out to vote. The voter turnout for the election was 42.4 percent.
The race for Town Clerk went to Republican candidate and incumbent Stacy Gravino, who bested Democratic candidate Liz Esposito.
Other races that were up for grabs included seats on the Town Council, Board of Education (BOE), and Board of Finance (BOF). Republicans swept District 1 for the Town Council, with incumbents Kenneth McKay, Robert Parente, and Fred Parlato getting re-elected.
In contrast, Democratic candidates Joseph Santino, Jr., Nicholas Palladino, and Joseph Deko took District 2. District 3 also favored the Democrats, with newcomers Joseph Carfora and former BOE member Louis Pacelli earning seats. Incumbent Republican candidate Judy Esposito retained her spot, but incumbents William Richardson and Robert Sand were not re-elected.
District 4 and District 5 favored Republicans, which contributed to the Town Council still being in Republican control with eight members to seven Democrats. Republicans Linda Hennessey and “Big” Steve Tracey and Democrat Joseph Badamo won in District 4, while Republicans Paul Carbo and Richard Anania and Democrat Henry Butler III won in District 5.
Republicans are favored on the Board of Education with five Republicans to four Democrats, and will see a mix of familiar faces as well as some new ones. Incumbents MaryAnn Pellegrino (D), Christine Maisano (D), Michele DeLucia (R), Lisa Geraci-Anastasio (R), Tom Hennessey (R), and John Finkle (R) won re-election.
Newcomers to the BOE will be Patricia “Tia” DePalma (D), Dominic Milano (D), and Samantha Parlato (R). Parlato actually received the most votes among Board of Education candidates.
Democrats will have control of the Board of Finance with four members to two Republicans. Democrats Richard Esposito, Jr., Marc Conte, Sr., Richard DePalma, and Noreen Clough all won seats on the board. They will be joined by Republicans Beth Purcell and Ralph Vitale.