Incumbents Rich Ellis and Janet Connors retained their School Board seats during a light voter turnout Tuesday, while political newcomer Jane Millett won a close race for the Town Council District 6 seat.
Nineteen percent of Brunswick’s 16,916 registered voters turned out for the offyear election, according to Town Clerk Fran Smith.
In what almost was a mirror result of 2008 in District 1, Ellis garnered 233 votes to challenger
Byron Watson’s 184, with 17 write-in or blank ballots cast.
“I feel good about the results,” Ellis said. “I’m glad and grateful that people in District 1 trusted me to represent them. I was a little concerned about the turnout, but the margin was almost the same as it was (last time).”
Millett’s council win over challenger Alison Harris was much narrower, with Millett receiving 183 votes to Harris’s 165. There were no write-ins, but 19 blank ballots were cast — one more than the margin of victory.
Most of the candidates stood outside the polls at Brunswick Junior High School for the day, welcoming voters and answering questions. After 13 hours, Millett’s voice was ragged but her work ethic was kicking in.
With about six weeks before her term officially begins, Millett will spend some time doing research and preparing to take over for outgoing Town Councilor Margo Knight.
“There’s a lot of reading to do, a lot of conversations to have,” Millett said. “It’s no easy job.”
Also Tuesday, District 1 Town Councilor David Watson was re-elected to his unopposed seat. In District 2, unchallenged School Board incumbent Brenda Clough received 450 votes, while unopposed council candidate Steve Walker — running for departing councilor Ben Tucker’s chair — received 468 votes.
jtleonard@timesrecord.com
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