Preston — First Selectman Robert Congdon won a ninth consecutive term Tuesday, defeating Selectman Timothy Bowles in a race whose closeness both candidates attributed to a deep divide over the disposition of the former Norwich Hospital property.

Congdon, a Republican, prevailed with 610 votes to Democrat Bowles' 593 votes, a 17-vote margin that's expected to trigger a recount that would have to be held within five days.

Rather than an endorsement of the status quo, Congdon said, "I think (the outcome) says that the town is very split on the Norwich Hospital issue. We've got a lot of work to do as we go forward and try to build a consensus."

A disappointed Bowles, who came within 67 votes of Congdon in the 2009 race for first selectman, has been critical of the Preston Redevelopment Agency's attempts to secure a developer for the former hospital property, a 390-acre parcel in need of an environmental clean-up.

Bowles had raised questions about the agency's finances and what he considers a lack of transparency in its handling of development proposals.

"I am going to continue to be vocal about it — regardless of what role I play," Bowles said outside the Town Hall polling place Tuesday night.

Bowles also lamented what he said was the redevelopment agency's "politicization" of the campaign. He said some agency members actively campaigned for Congdon, who as first selectman is an ex-officio member of the agency.

Congdon's running mate, Selectman Michael Sinko, also won re-election, garnering 622 votes to defeat Democrat Walter Kornosewicz, who got 556 votes.

Bowles would retain a seat on the three-member Board of Selectmen.

About 37 percent of the town's 3,275 voters cast ballots.

"It's going to be a tough two years, with the economy and shrinking revenue from the state," Congdon said, "but I look forward to working with everyone."

Earlier in the day, Congdon acknowledged that the former hospital property had remained the dominant campaign issue in town, although, he said, "It shouldn't be an issue at all."

He said the redevelopment agency had been created to handle the disposition of the property, removing it from the Board of Selectmen's jurisdiction.

"Every person in town still thinks the first selectman is responsible," he said. "That's just the way it is."

More important for the first selectman, he said, is the day-to-day management of the town, including things like paving roads and making sure Town Hall services are performed well.

"When you have a storm Irene, you've got to organize and coordinate the efforts of the Public Works Department, the fire and police," Congdon said. "That's an important test of a first selectman."

In the only other contested race on the town's ballot, Democrats Deborah Burke-Grabarek and Janet Clancy and Republican Daniel Harris Jr. won the three seats up for election on the seven-member Board of Education. Harris, the board's chairman, and Burke-Grabarek are incumbents.

b.hallenbeck@theday.com