Recount settles tie in Beacon Falls

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BEACON FALLS — A recount Tuesday broke a tie between Republican William L. Fredericks and Democrat Elizabeth T. Falzone for the Region 16 Board of Education.

Incumbent Fredericks won the seat by a difference of eight votes, Moderator Mildred Kevit said. Fredericks received 899, and Falzone, 891, she said.

According to the Nov. 3 tally, both received 911 votes. Town officials had said if there still were a tie after the recount, another election for the post would have to be held.

“I’m happy that it’s settled,” said Fredericks, 56. “It’s an obligation I take very seriously, and there’s a lot to do. I hope to be worthy of the trust.”

Fredericks said Falzone ran a good campaign and is gracious.

Falzone, 61, said she’s sorry she didn’t make it, but there’s always next time.

She said she called Fredericks’ wife, Gail, to offer congratulations.

Both said they were glad it didn’t come down to another election because of the cost of another vote.

It took three hours to recount 1,717 ballots in the Assembly Room at Town Hall.

A small audience watched as the ballots were either counted by hand or fed through the machine.

There were 96 counted by hand and 1,621 counted by machine.

Region 16 oversees Beacon Falls and Prospect schools. Four Beacon Falls residents will sit on the eight-member board, with four residents from Prospect.

Voters could vote for any two candidates in the election. They returned Democrat Sheryl Feducia, 43, to the board.

Feducia and Fredericks were serving in positions that they were chosen to fill by residents at a town meeting. Feducia has about 10 years of experience on the board; Fredericks served a term on the Board of Assessment Appeals.

Falzone, owner of L.T.’s Management, has been a justice of the peace for about five years.

Feducia and Fredericks will join Democrats Priscilla Y. Cretella and Wendy Oliveira, whose terms don’t expire until 2011.

In Prospect, four Republicans ran uncontested for the board.

Lisa M. DeGoes, Donna M. Cullen and Robert A. Hiscox were re-elected. They were serving in positions to which they were appointed by the Town Council.

David T. Wartko, a retired remodeling contractor, is new to the board. He served two years on the Board of Assessment Appeals, one year as chairman.