SOUTHINGTON — Republicans took majorities on the Board of Education, Board of Finance and the Planning and Zoning Commission in a major victory Tuesday night, according to unofficial results.

A referendum supported by candidates from both parties also passed Tuesday, allowing the town to buy the John Weichsel Municipal Center on North Main Street for $3 million.

Republican incumbents Terri Carmody, Colleen Clark and Joseph Baczewski along with challengers David Falvo, James Chrzanowski and Missy Cipriano were elected. Democratic incumbents Zaya Oshana Jr., David Derynoski and Bob Brown were also elected to the nine-member board.

On the Board of Finance, voters re-elected Republican incumbents John Leary, Joe Labieniec, Ed Pocock Jr. and Tony Morrison as well as Democratic incumbents Susan Zoni and Kevin Beaudoin.

Three seats on the seven-member Planning and Zoning Commission were up for election this year. Republicans Peter Santago and Robert Salka took two of them, with Democrat Christina Volpe taking the third.

All Republican candidates for office won Tuesday night. Republican Town Chairman Steven Kalkowski said the new and incumbent candidates worked hard and earned voters’ trust.

“The citizens know us, they trust our leadership,” Kalkowksi said.

He said the Board of Education had a blend of new faces and experienced members.

“I expect the Board of Education to do great things,” Kalkowski said.

He was also pleased that voters approved the one referendum question on Tuesday’s ballot.

The town has been leasing the former school for the past 10 years and the lease is up next year. Buying the building with $2.9 million from town reserves as opposed to signing another 10-year lease will save $672,000.

jbuchanan@record-journal.com
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