Steward earns quiet re-election in Waterford

Waterford - Republican First Selectman Daniel Steward won a fourth term Tuesday in a low-key election characterized by light turnout and a lack of "hot button" issues.

Steward beat unaffiliated newcomer Kevin Ziolkovski with an unofficial tally of 2,704 to 573, including absentee ballots. Steward's running mate, Paul A. Suprin, picked up 2,333 votes, and Democratic Selectman Paul Konstantakis kept his seat with 1,143 votes.

The Republicans also won a 12-10 majority on the Representative Town Meeting, control of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and additional seats on the boards of education and finance.

Though low at 27.5 percent, or 3,497 voters, turnout was higher in this election than it was two years ago, when it reached only 21 percent. More than half of the total 12,678 voters are registered as unaffiliated in this town of fewer than 20,000 people, according to Democratic Registrar Diana Cramer.

Voters who supported Steward said they are familiar with him and like the way he runs the town.

"I think he's doing a good job," said Dave Goldschneider, a registered Democrat. "He tends to be level-headed and very fair."

The Board of Selectmen's new term will run four years instead of two because of changes made to the town charter.

"Paul and I are very pleased to lead this town and go forward," Steward said, addressing supporters at Republican headquarters on Boston Post Road after the tally.

Democratic Town Clerk Robert M. Nye was re-elected to a sixth four-year term, beating Republican Kate MacKenzie, 1,890 to 1,601.

Ziolkovski, who works in the water department at Groton Utilities, ran a campaign to change the form of government to a town manager style.

"I'm glad I had the opportunity to do it," he said. "I have to thank the 573 who cast their ballots for me."

p.daddona@theday.com