Strong Showing For Republicans In Bethany Municipal Elections

BETHANY, CT — Bethany Republicans won each of the town's municipal elections on May 3. At the top of the ticket, Bethany First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco won her second term.

"The Republicans message resonated with voters because they listened to all people, not just their base," Board of Education member Amy Lestinsky said regarding the Republicans' win. "They ran a fair and honest campaign without being overly political. They focused on local issues and showcased the accomplishments the current First Selectman has achieved to date."

Republicans said the Cofrancesco won a second term because she "is and has always been a person who listens."

"She heard what residents were saying in the years leading up to her decision to run for First Selectman in 2019," a statement from Republicans reads. "The most talked about issues were the quality of the roads in town and taxes. In the short time Paula has been in office, she has addressed these issues and the citizens of Bethany have taken notice."

The town's road ratings have gone from a 66.2% to 91.7%. Also, the Bethany Board of Finance has projected a 2.06 mill rate decrease down to 34.5.

Here are the unofficial vote totals from the election according to the state Secretary of State's website:

First Selectman

Paula Cofranceso (R) 1202

Clark Hurlburt (D) 834

Selectman

Donald Shea (R) 1148

Elzabeth Appel 880

Town Treasurer

Steven Massey (R) 1127

Lawrence Elsner (D) 892

Tax Collector

Frances Doba (D) 1198

Board of Finance

John Grabowski (R) 1190

Kathleen Barone (D) 1031

Elizabeth Thornquist (D) 965

Board of Education

Amy Letinsky (R) 1100

Angel Irigoyen (R) 1,015

Angelo Amato, III (D) 954

Shannon Lane (907)

Planning and Zoning Commission

Donna Shea (R) 1139

John Corbo (R) 1128

Alexander Hutchinson (D) 1011

Steven Thornquist (D) 958

Robert Harrison (D) 923

Planning and Zoning Alternate

Karen Muller (R) 1060

Michael Riley (D) 932

Zoning Board of Appeals

Nick Poulmas (R) 1126

Armand Rivellini, Jr. (R) 1062

Cynthia Megyalo (D) 897

Scott Kealey (D) 874

Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate

June Riley (D) 1188

Regional Board of Education

Andrea Hubbard (R) 1131

Gordon LeVasseur, Jr. (D) 876