In a relatively quiet race dominated by Milton incumbent Republicans, challengers endorsed by the Independence and Democratic parties for town council did not earn seats in town government.
Republican incumbent Joe Miranda took the lion’s share of the votes to retain his long-held council seat with 1,678 votes. Incumbent Republican Allison Saul received 1,570 votes. Meg Stevens, the town’s first Democratic candidate in a decade, received 1,100 votes. Douglas Bennett, an Independence candidate running under Citizens for Responsible Government, received 610 votes at the polls.
Miranda has been a council member since 1995, serving as deputy supervisor for six years under former Supervisor Wilbur Trieble. He also has been active in the Republican Party at the town, county and state level. He was Milton Republican Party treasurer for five years.
Early Wednesday morning, Miranda credited his fellow campaigners for focusing on issues rather than emotions and partisan affiliations.
We ran clean campaigns, said Miranda. `There were no personal attacks, and, as we saw in other towns, unless there are serious issues, people will focus on the reliability of the current board. Our board has stood together for years and is known for being void of in-fighting and derisiveness. We don’t waste time fighting as a board.`
Saul began serving on the zoning board of appeals in 2001. A year later, she become a member of the Town Center Committee, and then ran for a seat on the Milton Town Board, where she has served for four years. During her term, Saul continued on the Town Center Committee, responsible for creating some of the guidelines for incoming business, and the requirements needed to construct and open a new business within the town center. Saul chaired the Town Center Clock Committee, with a goal of raising funds to purchase the clock now in front of the town hall.
Saul serves on the Open Space and Trails committee, helping to develop the town’s current open space plan, and on the historic structures and places committee currently preparing a listing of historic homes and places of significant interest in the town’s history. She also serves on the Parks and Recreation committee, responsible for overseeing and coordinating the town’s very popular summer youth program
Supervisor Frank Thompson, who has served since 2002, earned 1,670 votes. Independence ticket candidate John Cromie, who ran wth Citizens for Responsible Government, received 893 votes.
Town Highway Supervisor Dave Forbes, running uncontested, garnered 2,244 votes. Forbes began his career with the town in 1994 as building and grounds supervisor. He became officially involved with local politics by becoming a Committee Person in District 8. Forbes assumed the responsibilities of highway superintendent in October 2002, successfully winning two primaries and two elections.
Town Clerk William J. Mevec has served as town clerk for 33 years, and received 1,560 votes.
Town of Milton tax collector Carl Englehart ran unchallenged, earning 2,070 votes.
Incumbent Republican Tim Thomas Jr. ran unchallenged for town justice, earning 1,870 votes.“