Colucci, Robalino Retain Council Seats by Combined 0.89%

New Milford was presented with four candidates for two open seats on the Borough Council on Election Day 2013.

Below are the unofficial results as posted by the County Clerk:

• Diego Robalino – R – 1,917 Votes – 25.24%
• Domonic Colucci – R – 1,914 Votes – 25.20%
• Thea Sirocchi-Hurley – D – 1,890 Votes – 24.89%
• Ira Grotsky – D – 1,873 Votes – 24.66%

Robalino, an incumbent, received the highest number of votes yet was only 0.58 percent ahead of Grotsky who received the least number of votes of the four candidates. Colucci, the other incumbent, received only 24 more votes than Sirocchi-Hurley.

“New Milford has a history of close races,” said Mayor Ann Subrizi. “If [Robalino and Colucci] lost and the Council had gone to six Democrats and zero Republicans, there really would have been no oversight. I’m happy to keep them. They have great ideas, they really know how to govern well and they speak the truth.”

Robalino and Colucci continue on as the only Republicans on the Borough Council and look forward to being a part of the important decisions that will shape New Milford’s future. 

“We have to come up with ideas that are really in the best interest of New Milford,” said Robalino. “We’re still at a disadvantage of 4-2 on the council but if we present ideas that are in the best interest of New Milford, and do so publically, the rest of the council members have no reason to say ‘no’”

There are of course certain issues that polarize much of the population in town.

“We are absolutely hoping to get things done and to work as a team in the best interest of the town,” said Colucci. “The town is divided right now because of an issue that is going to be settled in our term. We’re going to have to see what happens on the Zoning Board and maybe in the courts.”

The issue Colucci speaks of is of course the potential development of a supermarket, bank and housing units on the currently undeveloped United Water property adjacent New Milford High School.

Do you think the Borough is headed in the right direction? Do you feel that having at least some members from each political party on the Borough Council is important? Tell us what you think in the comments section below. 

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Two other local elections took place as well on Tuesday, both involving the New Milford Board of Education. 

New Milford Board of Education – Unofficial Results:

• John F. Bigger – 908 Votes – 28.28%
• Christopher Ryan – 780 Votes – 24.29%
• Judith Rabinowitz-McSweeney – 691 Votes – 21.52%
• James E. Pendergast – 506 Votes – 15.76%
• Stephen Tencer – 326 Votes – 10.15%

New Milford Board of Education – 2 Year Unexpired Term – Unofficial Results:

• Christine Ginacola – 836 Votes – 57.38%
• Juanita T. Adelung – 621 Votes – 42.62%