Recount called for in Salem town clerk's race

Salem - Five-term Democratic incumbent Town Clerk Patricia Crisanti edged Republican challenger Liz Housholder 427 to 417 in one of the town's few contested races.

"We will do a recount, since we were just a few votes apart," said Householder. "It shows how every vote counts."

Crisanti, who spent most of the day on a grassy shoulder on Route 85 in front of Town Hall, waving to passing cars and voters as they entered the polling place, said she has won close races in the past.

"I consider myself lucky so far," she said.

First Selectman Kevin Lyden, endorsed by both parties for a second term, ran unopposed, as did Republican selectman candidate Elbert Burr and Democratic selectman candidate Lewis Buckley. Buckley said a spirit of cooperation among elected officials in town accounts for the many uncontested races.

"Salem is a town where we work together," he said.

More than 30 percent of the town's 2,711 voters cast ballots. The 1,202 voters registered as unaffiliated outnumber Democrats, with 856 voters, and Republicans, with 631 voters. There are also 22 voters registered with other parties.

Lyden said he was pleased with the turnout and with all the candidates who ran for office.

"They're all winners in my eyes," he said. "I am looking forward to serving my fellow townspeople for another term."

Among other contested races, four candidates ran for three seats on the school board. Top vote-getters were Republicans Mary Ann Pudimat and George Jackson, while Democrats Margaret Caron and Sam Rindell were within four votes of each other in unofficial results. Republican Board of Assessment Appeals candidate Dianne Woronik defeated Democrat Terrell Patterson, while Democrat Lee Cole-Chu and Republican Michael Jensen won seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals.