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EASTON, Conn. It all comes down to today, as Easton residents head to the polls Tuesday and vote for their elected officials. Here is a rundown of the municipal races:
First Selectman
The first selectman is the chief elected official in town. The position is a two-year, part-time salaried position. Running for re-election is incumbent Thomas Herrmann, a Republican, and two write-in candidates, unaffiliated Robert Webbe and Richard Seclow, a Republican.
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen is a three-person board, consisting of the first selectman, the candidate with the second-most votes in the first selectman race and the winner of the selectman contest. The board is responsible appointing members of certain boards and commissions. It has the purchasing authority according to town ordinance and handles contracts and authorizing payments. Incumbents Robert S. Centrella, a Republican, and Robert H. Lessler, a Democrat, are running for the selectman seat.
Town Clerk
The town clerk serves a two-year term and is responsible for handling of the vital records, marriage licenses, absentee ballots and birth certificates. Incumbent Derek Buckley, a Republican, and challenger Michael S. Kivell, a Democrat, are vying for the position.
Tax Collector
The tax collector serves a two-year term and is responsible for sending out tax bills, directing liens and handling foreclosures. Incumbent Patrice G. Hanson, a Republican, and David M. Smith, a Democrat, are on the ballot.
Board of Finance
The Board of Finance is responsible for all budget requests and oversees most town expenditures. There is a full-term race and a vacancy race. In the full-term race, four candidates are hoping to fill two seats. Current finance board members C. Lee Hanson and Fred N. Knopf, Republicans, and Paul W. Lindoerfer, a Democrat, are running as is as newcomer Louis Paul Rosamilia, a Democrat.
Claire S. Gold, a Democrat, and Christian D. Griffin, a Republican, are running for the two-year vacant seat.
Region 9 Board of Education
The Region 9 Board of Education oversees Joel Barlow High School, which is shared by students in Easton and in Redding. The board is in charge of the schools operating budget. Two seats are up for grabs for the full term but three candidates running: Democrat Paul N. Coppinger and Republicans Carolyn M. Colangelo and J. Vance Hancock. Looking to fill a two-year vacancy is incumbent Margot Z. Abrams, a Democrat, and Todd Andrew Johnston, a Republican.
Board of Education
The Board of Education oversees both lower level schools in Easton Samuel Staples Elementary School and Helen Keller Middle School. It is responsible for the educational operating budget, school facilities and personnel and staff members. Running for the full-term seats are incumbents Democrat Daniel M. Underberger and Republican Jeffrey F. Parker.
Incumbent Democrat Vida E. Peskay is the only candidate looking to fill the four-year term. Democrat Regina B. Bobroske is running unopposed for the two-year seat.
Board of Assessment Appeals
The Board of Assessment Appeals handles appeals by Easton residents of the assessment of any real estate, personal property or motor vehicles. Running unopposed for the full-term seat is Republican Lori B. Mezes, running unopposed for the four-year vacancy seat is Democrat A. Reynolds Gordon and running unopposed for the two-year vacancy is Dennis J. Kokenos.
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals is responsible for the hearings of all zoning appeals, request for interpretations and use of variances. Board Chairman John W. Harris, a Republican, is the only candidate running for the lone open seat.
Voting
All registered voters in Easton can head to Samuel Staples Elementary School to cast their ballots. The polls will be open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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