AVON, November 14 – In a recount of ballots, the election of Democrat Dan Polhamus to the Town Council has been confirmed.
A recount of returns of the voting machines, absentee ballots and write-in ballots for the seven Town Council candidates was completed on Wednesday at town offices in Avon, according to Town Clerk Ann Dearstyne.
There were slight increases of two-to-four votes for each candidate from results reported to the Secretary of State’s office last Tuesday. But Polhamus still beat Republican Kenneth Birk for the fifth and final seat on the Town Council.
Polhamus beat Birk by eight votes on election night. After the recount, Polhamus’ margin of victory was increased to 10 votes, 2,757 to 2747. State mandates a recount of votes if the margin of victory is under 20 votes.
Republican incumbents Heather Maquire, James Spiech and Jeff Benetich each won re-election to the Town Council and hold a 3-2 advantage. Democrats Anthony Weber and Polahmus earned seats on the Council for the first time.
It was the first recount in Avon in a decade. The last time that there was a recount was in 2009, according to Dearsytne, when Democrat David Pena and Republican William Hooper vyed for a seat on the Town Council. The two candidates were tied after the recount. Pena won a special election to earn the seat on the Town Council.
Voting for Town Council candidates after the recount with total number of votes and votes gained or lost during the recount.
Town Council (Vote for 5)
| Candidate |
Votes |
| *Heather Maguire, R, incumbent |
3,135, up 4 |
| *Anthony Weber, D |
2,818, up 4 |
| *James Speich, R, incumbent |
2,779, up 2 |
| *Jeff Bernetich, R, incumbent |
2,774, up 3 |
| *Dan Polhamus, D |
2,757, up 4 |
| Kenneth Birk, R |
2,747, up 2 |
| Charles Harvell, D |
2,735, up 4 |
