Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller was re-elected to a third two-year term Tuesday, easily turning back a challenge from Democrat Zani Imetovski, 2,314 votes to 1,135.
The results are unofficial.
Republicans also maintained their majorities on the board of selectmen, board of finance, board of education and all other elected town commissions.
Imetovski conceded shortly after 8:30 p.m. and then headed over to the Hot Tamale restaurant on Route 67, where Miller was gathered with supporters, to wish Miller well in person.
Miller praised the recent college graduate for taking on the campaign for first selectman at such a young age.
Watch the video below to hear more from Miller.
He promised to address Seymour’s high tax rate and to continue working toward an improved bond rating for the town.
“People really appreciate the positive direction we’re taking Seymour,” Miller said. “They’re obviously comfortable giving us another two years to implement our plan.”
Miller touted Republicans’ efforts to build up a fund balance, improve the town’s bond rating and invest in road paving.
Democrats campaigned on a platform critical of the tax increases Miller put through in his first two terms and a property revaluation they say will exacerbate the tax burden on some homeowners.
Miller said that the tax rate continues to be one of the biggest challenges Seymour faces, but said, “We’ve taken a lot of positive steps,” including identifying $500,000 worth of recurring expenses to cut from the budget.
Democrats failed to field a candidate for first selectman two years ago, and Republicans swept their way to comfortable majorities on all elected town boards.
Imetovski, 23, had hoped to become one of the youngest municipal chief executives in Connecticut history, and had pointed to recent precedent. Former Torrington Mayor Ryan Bingham was elected at age 22 in 2005.
“It wasn’t the results we thought, but we knew this was going to be an uphill battle,” Imetovski told supporters at Pub 67, where the Democrats gathered. “Tonight in Seymour, we made a difference. You look at this, the Republicans, watch out, the Seymour Democratic party, we’re coming back.”
State Rep. Theresa Conroy, a Democrat who represents Beacon Falls, parts of Derby and Seymour in Hartford, said Imetovski has no reason to hold his head high.
“Zani has all the right aspirations and goals for Seymour,” she said. “He has a great political future. Although he lost tonight, he will go far in politics. He’s a true statesman.”
Imetovski’s concession speech is below.
As for the future at the head of town, Imetovski wouldn’t give away his plans.
“That’s for the future,” he said.
Miller, 45, was first elected in 2011, unseating one-term First Selectman Paul Roy, 1,910 to 1,555. He was unopposed for re-election in 2013.
Jack Liedke, a Miller supporter at Hot Tamale waiting for election results Tuesday, said it’s not good enough to have a message of “just coming in and cutting.”
“What’s the actual plan?” he asked.
Liedke, a controller for an ad agency in Norwalk who moved to Seymour in 2002, said a similar lack of specifics is why Democrats lost key elections to the Republicans in past years.
“There was no accountability, no plan,” he said, pointing out Miller started taking care of basic organizational deficiencies after being elected, such as writing job descriptions for key city positions.
Liedke said there’s no easy solution to a high tax rate until Seymour can lay the groundwork for economic development that will broaden the tax base.
Miller said that he has had to confront the fundamental belief that “Seymour is not a place where people want to come and do business.”
Running town hall more like a business was a first step, he said, and steadily, both big national businesses and local small businesses have become more confident in the town.
The families of both candidates are part of the Valley small business community. Miller’s family owns the Miller-Ward Funeral Home in Seymour, and Imetovski’s family owns Zani’s Pizza in Ansonia.
Prior to becoming first selectman, Miller helped run the funeral home with his father.
Imetovski worked in his family’s restaurant as a teenager. He started work as an assistant clerk for the General Assembly’s Committee on Public Health after graduating from the University of New Haven in 2014. He also served as an intern for Sen. Richard Blumenthal in Washington, and ran unsuccessfully for the board of selectmen two years ago.
Republicans and Democrats have about the same number of registered voters in Seymour, 2,042 and 2,109, respectively. They are dwarfed by the town’s 5,097 unaffiliated voters.
The following results were released by the Seymour Registrar of Voters late Tuesday:
FIRST SELECTMAN
Kurt Miller — 2,314 (incumbent) (Republican) X
Zani Imetovski — 1,135 (Democrat)
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Nicole Klarides-Ditria — 2,204 (Republican) X
Len Greene — (Republican) 2,103 X
Al Bruno — (Republican) 1,766 X
Philip Wilhelmy — (Democrat) 1,099
Karen Stanek — (Democrat) 1,451 X
Stephan Behuniak — (Democrat) 1,260 X
Michael Boroski — (Democrat) 1,020
Annmarie Drugonis — (Republican) 1,712 X
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Jay Hatfield — (Republican) 1,875 X
Jennifer Magri — (Republican) 1,721 X
Kristen Harmeling — (Democrat) 1,319 X
James Garofolo — (Democrat) 1,357 X
BOARD OF FINANCE
(Note: The Valley Indy needs to recheck the results of this race Wednesday)
James Cretella — (Republican) 2,218 X
Heather McDaniel — (Republican) 2,119 X
Aileen Baldwin — (Republican) 1,947 X
Melanie Kalako — (Democrat) 1,298
Tyler Riff — (Democrat) 1,066
BOARD OF FINANCE ALTERNATE
Robert Pagliaro — (Republican) 2,407 X
Richard Demko — (Republican) 2,355 X
Irene Jecusso — (Republican) 2,315 X
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS
Bruce Baker — (Republican) 1,932 X
Christopher Drugonis — (Republican) 1,798 X
Thomas LaPaglia — (Democrat) 1,245
Randy Bruce — (Democrat) 1,212
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, FOUR-YEAR TERM
Rory Burke — (Republican) 2,136 X
Walter Birdsell — (Republican) 1,978 X
Gary Vasas — (Democrat) 1,362 X
Joseph Ziehl — (Democat) 1,327
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, TWO-YEAR TERM
Jake Holly — (Republican) 2,369 X
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
Lucy McConologue — (Republican) 2,120 X
Bill Paecht — (Republican) 2,077 X
David Bitso — (Republican) 1,940 X
Martin Dadio — (Democrat) 1,651
LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Debbie Wasikowski — (Republican) 2,192 X
Thomas Schutte — (Republican) 2,067 X
Jean Uhlesky — (Democrat) 1,723 X
Michael Flynn — (Democrat) 1,593 X
