Recount for burgess candidates set for Tuesday

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A recount of the votes for burgess candidates will be held Tuesday due to a tight finish for the final burgess seat between Republicans Alex Olbrys, left, and Ed Fennell.
A recount of the votes for burgess candidates will be held Tuesday due to a tight finish for the final burgess seat between Republicans Alex Olbrys, left, and Ed Fennell. -CONTRIBUTED

NAUGATUCK — A recount of the votes for burgess candidates will be conducted Tuesday.

Town Clerk Michelle Dowling said the recount will begin at 9:30 a.m. and be done in Town Hall.

The recount was triggered by a tight finish for the ninth and final seat on the borough board. Election night figures showed Republican Alex Olbrys, a 21-year-old full-time student at Southern Connecticut State University, won the final seat by 22 votes, 1,843-1,821, over fellow Republican Ed Fennell.

State statute requires a recount be done if a candidate wins by less than 20 votes or less than one-half of 1 percent of the total of people who voted. The 22-vote margin fell under the latter requirement. Had Olbrys won by 25 votes, the recount would not be necessary, according to officials.

Fennell has been filling the term of Ronald San Angelo and since the election results are in dispute he remained on the Board of Mayor and Burgesses for Tuesday night’s meeting. During the meeting, Fennell thanked his supporters for their generosity and kindness.

“I said to Alex many times as we campaigned together, ‘If it’s not me Alex, I’d love for it to be you.’ So, however things work out, I’m OK with it,” Fennell said.

Fennell said he will be a call away if the board needs any assistance in the future.

“This was one of those bucket list items for me,” said Fennell about serving on the board. “I was hoping the bucket might be a little bit bigger. It may still be. Who knows? We’ll know more Tuesday. Thanks again. It’s been great.”

Luke Marshall contributed to this article.