Carbone easily wins re-election

Mayor plans to continue work on development, brownfields

TORRINGTON — City voters re-elected Mayor Elinor Carbone to another term in office Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

Carbone, first elected to the position in 2013, said the election results represented a mandate to continue the work she and other city officials had started in the city in her first term.

“This is pretty exciting,” said Carbone. “I think the voter turnout and the results ... are an affirmation.”

Carbone listed continuing efforts to bolster economic development and address brownfield properties as goals for her next term and said she believes the city needs to shift away from a reliance on state

funds without burdening taxpayers.

The Rev. Peter Aduba, who challenged Carbone as a petitioning candidate, said he had called to concede and congratulate Carbone. He said he was grateful to God for the democratic process in the city.

“I wish her all the best,” said Aduba. “I’m very grateful to the people of Torrington and I’m very grateful to God.”

Torrington residents voiced their support for Carbone when asked about their motivation for casting their vote Tuesday.

“When you have someone like Elinor, who has done yeoman’s work to keep things together in challenging times, I think it’s (important to participate),” said Michael Curi, who noted that the ballot included people from a range of ages who wished to serve the city.

“(I’m) feeling like Torrington is on an upward swing,” said Sydney Ash, who voiced support for Carbone and city council member Gregg Cogswell, a former colleague.

Ash said taxes were of particular concern to her — a concern raised by both Carbone and Aduba in the past.

“It’s part of what makes us unsure if we want to stay here in the long term,” said Ash.

Kyle Thomas said he wasn’t particularly happy to support any candidate, but wanted to support the people of the community by voting.

“If ou don’t vote, you’re not doing anything to help the town,” said Johnson, who said he wanted to see the city become a better place with less crime.

Republicans ruled the day Tuesday, as they won a majority of down-ballot seats and races. All Republicans who entered the race won, according to the Town Committee.

Republicans Frank Rubino, Fred Simon, Cogswell and Anne Ruwet were elected to the City Council, as were Democrats Marie Soliani and Paul Cavagnero.

Carol Anderson, a Republican and the current assistant clerk, was elected as town clerk.

Republicans Molly Spino, John Kissko, John Giansanti and Democrats Ellen Hoehne, an incumbent, and Edward Corey were elected to the Board of Education.

Incumbents Robert Conforti Jr. and Darlene Battle, both Republicans, and Glenn McLeod, a Democrat, were re-elected to the Board of Public Safety.

Republicans Dustin Bingham and Bruce Harrison Jr. and Democrat Joseph Giola were elected to the Board of Selectmen. Dan Farley, a Republican, was elected as treasurer.

Approximately 20,485 residents were registered to vote in Torrington for this election, according to Republican Registrar Ed Wilmot. Unaffililated voters made up the largest portion of the election, as 8,912 residents claimed no party. There were 6,140 registered Democrats, 5,118 Republicans, and 315 members of other political groups.

Voting had gone smoothly at the Torrington Armory and Torrington Middle School as of late this afternoon, according to moderators Garrett Waldron and Eleanor Fox.

“It’s been very smooth,” said Fox.

Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media Torrington residents prepare to cast their votes in the municipal elections on Tuesday.

Torrington residents wait to cast their votes in the municipal election on Tuesday.