Voters turn out in force amid North Canaan cliffhanger

Kent Town Hall saw a steady stream of voters on Election Day Nov. 4, 2025.
Photo by Alec Linden

Kent Town Hall saw a steady stream of voters on Election Day Nov. 4, 2025.
Northwest Connecticut delivered some of the state’s strongest voter participation — and one of its closest contests — in last week’s municipal elections.
North Canaan’s first selectman race was decided by just two votes, prompting an automatic recount that confirmed Jesse Bunce’s win. The town also led the region in turnout, with 53.5% of voters casting ballots, ranking 10th statewide among 169 municipalities.
Turnout across the rest of the Northwest Corner remained well above average. Kent followed with 47.7% (27th statewide), while Falls Village reached 44.2% (56th). Sharon, Cornwall and Salisbury hovered around the state average of 40%, posting 42.7%, 42% and 41.3%, respectively.
Even with few contested races, participation remained strong as voters returned many familiar faces to office. (Full results below.)
In Kent, Democrat Eric Epstein was elected first selectman for the first time in an uncontested race. He takes over from Marty Lindenmayer, who did not run.
The town also passed a local cannabis measure, 400 to 308, banning recreational cannabis dispensaries.
Salisbury voters again backed longtime Democratic First Selectman Curtis Rand, who ran unopposed.
In Falls Village, cross-endorsed incumbent Dave Barger (D/R) won another term as first selectman, maintaining a board that includes Chris Kinsella (D) and Judy Jacobs (R).
Cornwall residents re-elected Democrat Gordon Ridgway, who has led the town for more than three decades. Ridgway ran unopposed and remains one of Connecticut’s longest-serving first selectmen.
Sharon voters returned First Selectman Casey Flanagan (D) and selectmen Lynn Kearcher (D) and John Brett (U).
Poll workers throughout the region described Election Day as steady and orderly, aided by new state tabulators that flagged errors on ballots but required absentee votes to be processed separately. In Salisbury, a brief detour on Route 44 caused by a downed tree did not affect turnout.
In Kent, petitioning selectman candidate Ed Matson said he was encouraged by voter participation: “I was surprised by how busy it was, especially with the number of people who voted early.”
In Sharon, resident Suzanne Oliver summed up her reason for voting simply: “Participation.” Another voter added, “Everything that has a vote, you should vote for — it’s the only power we have.”

First Selectman:
Gordon Ridgway (D) 402
Selectman:
Rocco Botto (D) 332
John Brown (R) 123
Town Clerk:
Kathryn Lee (D/R) 469
Town Treasurer:
Richard Bramley (D) 434
Board of Finance:
Gary Steinkohl (D) 392
Carl Hermann (R) 201
Board of Finance (2 year):
Kate Sandmeyer Ward (D) 439
Board of Finance (Alternate):
Richard Wolkowitz (D) 389
Cody Gillotti (R) 134
Board of Education:
Martha Buehl (D) 392
Anna Kallman (D) 366
Katherine Scoville (R) 200
Kathleen Bodwell (R) 134
Board of Assessment Appeals:
Richard Wolkowitz (D) 344
David Cavalier (R) 124
Planning and Zoning Commission:
Phillip West (D) 346
Stephen Saccardi (R) 313
Zoning Board of Appeals:
Lynn Scoville (R) 316
Christi Bodwell (R) 234

First Selectman:
Dave Barger (D/R) 300
Selectman:
Chris Kinsella (D) 202
Judy Jacobs (R) 112
Board of Finance:
Ginger Betti (D) 215
Andrea Downs (R) 146
Richard Berzine (D) 154
Karl Munson (R) 111
Board of Finance (2 year):
Martin Deeg (D) 210
Marisa Ohler (R) 102
Board of Finance (Alternate):
Vanessa Pereira (D) 177
Henry Todd (R) 129
Board of Finance (Alternate - 2 year vacancy):
Hazel McGuire (R) 239
Board of Education:
Adam Sher (D/R) 281
Patricia Allyn Mechare (D) 222
Scott Miller (R) 88
Board of Assessment Appeals:
Hazel McGuire (D/R) 297
Tami Reid (D/R) 274
Zoning Board of Appeals:
Louis Timolat (R) 232
Stephen Dean (R) 232
Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate):
Vance Cannon (D) 237
Lee Baldwin (R) 77
Constables:
Timothy Downs (R) 199
Thom Wilson (D) 181
Dennis Jacobs (R) 168
Donna Heinz (D) 159
Louis Timolat (R) 152
Elizabeth Pierce (D) 140
Matthew Hansen (R) 128
Regional Board of Education:
Patricia Allyn Mechare (D/R) 371

First Selectman:
Eric Epstein (D) 844
Selectman:
Lynn Mellis Worthington (D) 657
Lynn Harrington (R) 208
Edward Matson (U) 116
Town Clerk:
Darlene Brady (U) 622
Tax Collector:
Deborah Devaux (D) 843
Board of Finance:
Glenn Sanchez (D) 769
Nancy O'Dea Wyrick (R) 442
Board of Education:
Heather Brand (D) 686
Anthony DiPentima (R) 291
Board of Education (2 year):
Cinda Clark (D) 794
Board of Assessment Appeals:
Gary Ford (D) 679
David Yewer (R) 252
Planning and Zoning Commission:
Darrell Cherniske (D) 740
Karen Casey (R) 466
Donna Hayes (R) 461
Zoning Board of Appeals:
Stephen Pener (D) 722
Justin Potter (D) 707
John Johnson (D) 637
Nick Downes (R) 331
Mark Cowan (R) 221
Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate):
Adam Manes (D) 756
Sewer Commission:
Elissa Potts (D) 764
Catherine Mazza (D) 718
Carmel Karina O'Meara (R) 266
Cannabis Regulation:
Yes 243
No 201

First Selectman: (Recount required)
Jesse Bunce (D) 572
Brian Ohler (R) 570 - Selectman
Selectman:
Melissa Pinardi (R) 559
Joe Sebben (U) 374
Town Clerk:
Krysti Segalla (R) 750
Town Treasurer:
Melanie Neely (D) 632
Emily Minacci (R) 487
Tax Collector:
Rebecca Mochak (R) 707
Board of Finance:
John Jacquier (R) 633
Emily Bottum (D) 518
Christian Allyn (U) 352
Brian Allyn (WI) 159
Board of Education:
Christopher Jacques (D) 541
Gina Terwilliger (D) 628
Amy Dodge (R) 698
Caitlin Tomko (R) 541
Amy Helminiak (D) 536
Board of Assessment Appeals:
David Jacquier (R) 754
Planning and Zoning Commission:
Cooper Brown (D) 679
Dalton Jacquier (R) 710
Walter Schneider (R) 595
Planning and Zoning Commission (Alternate):
Brian Allyn Jr. (R) 738
Tucker Whiting (R) 660
Zoning Board of Appeals:
Brian Allyn (D) 702
Matthew Freund (D) 709
Scott Zinke (R) 676
Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate):
Joe Cieslowski (D) 690
Regional Board of Education:
Craig Whiting (R) 765
Shall Treasurer be appointed?
Yes 355
No 743
Shall Town Clerk be appointed?
Yes 350
No 743
Shall Tax Collector be appointed?
Yes 349
No 741

First Selectman:
Curtis Rand (D) 1,071
Selectman:
Barrett Prinz (D) 935
Kitty Kiefer (U) 516
Don Mayland (R) 457
Board of Finance:
Emily Vail (D) 1,064
Board of Education:
Lauren Brown (D) 999
Elizabeth Dittmer (D) 979
Natalia Smirnova (WI) 36
Board of Assessment Appeals:
William Tedder (D) 962
Peter Becket (R) 244
Planning and Zoning Commission:
Cathy Shyer (D) 994
Allen Cockerline (D) 930
Danella Schiffer (D) 926
Planning and Zoning Commission (Alternate):
Beth Wells (D) 984
Jen Ventimilia (D) 925
Zoning Board of Appeals:
Roxanne Belter Lee (D) 1,020
M.E. Freeman (D) 925
Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate):
Cori Daggett (D) 1,001
Regional Board of Education:
Flora Lazar (D) 1,021

First Selectman:
Casey Flanagan (D) 647
Selectman:
Lynn Kearcher (D) 606
John Brett (U) 344
Town Clerk:
Biance DelTufo (D) 643
Town Treasurer:
Tina Pitcher (D/R) 686
Tax Collector:
Donna Christensen (D/R) 692
Board of Finance:
John Hecht (D) 593
Mary Robertson (D) 312
Board of Finance (4 year vacancy):
Mary Anne Toppan (R) 388
Board of Finance (2 year vacancy):
Michele Pastre (R) 402
Board of Education:
Terry Vance (D) 496
Pam Jarvis (D) 484
Cathy Winburn (R) 191
Chip Kruger (R) 168
Board of Education (2 year vacancy):
Peter Birnbaum (D) 612
Board of Assessment Appeals:
Debbie Hanlon (D) 628
Planning and Zoning Commission:
Stanley MacMillan Jr. (D/R) 668
Susan Lynn (D) 590
Planning and Zoning Commission (Alternate):
Andrus Nichols (D) 622
Zoning Board of Appeals:
James Wexler (D) 593
Scott Pastre (R) 296
Zoning Board of Appeals (2 year vacancy):
Theodore Coulombe (D) 613
Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate):
Pauline Moore (D) 620
Regional Board of Education:
Sara Cousins (D) 618
D: Democrat
R: Republican
D/R: Cross endorsed
U: Unaffiliated/Petitioning
WI: Write In
Results compiled from town halls and the Secretary of the State's website.
Ryan Segalla takes a fadeaway shot over a defender.
FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys basketball team defeated Pine Plains High School 60-22 in a scrimmage Tuesday, Dec. 9. The non-league preseason game gave both sides an opportunity to run the court ahead of the 2025-26 varsity season.
HVRHS’s senior-heavy roster played with power and poise. The boys pulled ahead early and kept their foot on the gas through to the end.
By halftime the score was 33-8. Junior varsity players subbed in for the second half, but not before the starters got some in-game dunk practice. By the end Housatonic totaled 60 points to Pine Plains’ 22.

Nick Crodelle led the Mountaineers offensively with 13 points. Anthony Labbadia and Wyatt Bayer scored nine points each. Anthony Foley scored eight points. Owen Riemer and Ryan Segalla each scored seven points. Peyton Bushnell hit a three-pointer. Jaxon Visockis and Henry Berry each scored two points.
HVRHS begins Berkshire League competition on the road at Nonnewaug High School Tuesday, Dec. 16, with a 6 p.m. tip off.


Katie Moore delivers toys to the Stuff a Truck campaign held by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department last weekend. Donated toys are collected so that parents, who need some assistance, may provide their children with gifts this Christmas. Accepting the donation are elves Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci
KENT — Santa’s elves were toasty warm as they collected toys for the children of Kent.
Keeping with annual tradition, Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci manned the Stuff a Truck campaign sponsored by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7. Sitting in front of a fire pit in the firehouse parking lot between donations from residents, they spoke of the incredible generosity displayed every season. That spirit of giving was clear from the piles of toys heaped on a table.
“This is always so gratifying,” said Goodsell, noting that certain businesses, including High Watch Recovery Center, Wilson’s, and Kent and South Kent schools needed a “shout out” for all they’ve done. She said South Kent School focuses on gifts for older children, which is a group that often is overlooked.
Unwrapped contributions are sought for children 1 to 15 years old who might otherwise find little or nothing from Santa, they said. The bounty will be set up at the Community House on Thursday, allowing parents to come and take what they want. If there are still items left, grandparents are invited to “shop.”
The atmosphere was festive Saturday, as a stuffed dog began barking a Christmas tune whenever someone walked in front of it. A large decked-out bear posted at the parking lot entrance reminded passersby of the event. Visiting children were able to get a close-up look at the fire truck and walk through the firehouse if they wished.
Goodsell and Iannucci were very grateful to those who donated wood for the fire pit. “And so many asked if they could bring us coffee or hot chocolate,” said Iannucci.
Goodsell said many who came talked about having grown children who were recipients of the gifts when their families were struggling. “They are so glad to be able to give back,” she said.
Housatonic Valley Regional High School
FALLS VILLAGE — Principal Ian Strever announces the first quarter marking period Honor Roll at Housatonic Valley Regional High School for the 2025-26 school year.
Highest Honor Roll
Grade 9
Katelyn Holst-Grubbe (North Canaan), Meriel Hughes (Salisbury), Noell Laurry (Kent), Keely Malone (Sharon), April Puerto (Salisbury), Solomon Schmidt (Salisbury), Alastair Schnepf (Wassaic), Olivia Simonds (North Canaan), Marisol Vaughn (Kent), Emery Wisell (Kent).
Grade 10
Mia Belter (Salisbury), Louise Faveau (Salisbury), Addison Green (Kent), Aryanna Horton (Salisbury), Eliana Lang (Salisbury), Lily McCabe (Salisbury), Alison McCarron (Kent), Katherine Money (Kent), Mira Norbet (Sharon), Abigail Perotti (North Canaan), Owen Schnepf (Wassaic), Schuyler Thompson (Falls Village), Federico Vargas Tobon (Salisbury).
Grade 11
John DeDonato (Salisbury), Natasha Dennis (North Canaan), Adelyn Diorio (North Canaan), Sydney Howe (North Canaan), Daniel Lesch (Cornwall), Finian Malone (Sharon), Meadow Moerschell (Kent), Ishaan Tantri (Salisbury).
Grade 12
Lily Beurket (Cornwall), Ryder Conte (Falls Village), Shanaya Duprey (North Canaan), Evelyn Flores-Hernandez (North Canaan), Madelyn Johnson (North Canaan), Alexa Meach (North Canaan), Ibby Sadeh (Falls Village), Alex Woodworth (Salisbury).
High Honor Roll
Grade 9
Anna Ayer (Salisbury), Cody Bodwell (Cornwall), Lainey Diorio (North Canaan), Emma Duffy (Sharon), Carter Finney (North Canaan), Elden Grace (Salisbury), Joanna Haratyk (Torrington), Ava Humes (North Canaan), Tyler LaPlante (North Canaan), Sawyer Margerelli (Salisbury), Lola Miller (Falls Village), Grace O’Brocki (Salisbury), August Olson (Falls Village), Elexis Petkovich (North Canaan), Donald Polk (Cornwall), Justin Sorell (North Canaan), Gia Torzilli (Gaylordsville), Scarlett Visconti (North Canaan), Jaxon Visockis (Salisbury).
Grade 10
Krystin Ackerman (North Canaan), Paige Beeman (North Canaan), Max Bochnovich (Salisbury), Nico Bochnovich (Salisbury), Logan Bronson (Cornwall), Lucius Bryant (Cornwall), Zaira Celso-Cristobal (Sharon), Winter Cheney (Cornwall), Tess Churchill (Salisbury), Niki Clark (Salisbury), Caitlin Devino (North Canaan), Luca Floridis (Salisbury), Samuel Garcia Pulido (North Canaan), Beatrice Gifford (Kent), Angel Gonzalez (Salisbury), Kartel Henry (North Canaan), Paul Losh (Falls Village), Wyatt Merwin (Salisbury), Logan Miller (Falls Village), Sadie Morales Chapell (Salisbury), Nova Pratt (North Canaan), Karmela Quinion (North Canaan), Vilija Salazar (Kent), Juliette Trabucco (Kent), Payton Wagner (North Canaan), Olivia Whitney (North Canaan).
Grade 11
Adelaide Almeida (Salisbury), Hayden Bachman (Falls Village), Byron Bell (Cornwall), Sophia Camphouse (Sharon), Olivia Claydon (North Canaan), Georgie Clayton (Salisbury), Sophia DeDominicis Fitzpatrick (Sharon), Christian DeDonato (Salisbury), Layla DiDomenico (Kent), Carmela Egan (Salisbury), Kellie Eisermann (Salisbury), Levi Elliott (Millerton), Lydia Fleming (North Canaan), Guadalupe Flores-Hernandez (North Canaan), Grace Graney (Falls Village), Alexa Hoadley (Kent), Jonas Johnson (North Canaan), Aiden Krupa (Torrington), Makenzie Lidstone (Salisbury), Francisco Mendoza Ratzan (North Canaan), Daniel Moran (Norfolk), Jackson Olson (Falls Village), Logan Padelli (North Canaan), Gustavo Portillo (North Canaan), Darwin Wolfe (Falls Village), Nathan Zani (Ashley Falls), Ivy Zheng (North Canaan).
Grade 12
Hayden Bell (Cornwall), Genesis Bravo Guilcashina (North Canaan), Olivia Brooks (Salisbury), Victoria Brooks (Salisbury), Mia DiRocco (Cornwall), Anthony Foley (North Canaan), Anna Gillette (Salisbury), Julissa Gonzalez (Cornwall), Kierra Greene (North Canaan), Adam Hock (Kent), Sara Ireland (Salisbury), Hannah Johnson (North Canaan), Riley Mahaffey (Amenia), Simon Markow (Cornwall), Madeline Mechare (Falls Village), Madison Melino (Austerlitz), Daphne Paine (North Canaan), Celeste Trabucco (Kent), Silas Tripp (Falls Village), Ayden Wheeler (Amenia).
Honor Roll
Grade 9
Jonathan Bindley (Cornwall), Cullen Bonis (Kent), Phoebe Conklin (Salisbury), Connor Crane (North Canaan), Isabella Curtis (Norfolk), Jessica Davis (North Canaan), Ciri Dean (North Canaan), Lyla Diorio (North Canaan), Patrick Hafner (Falls Village), Ryan Hinman (North Canaan), Harrison Morey (North Canaan), Jenaveeve Wagner (North Canaan).
Grade 10
Lyla Banffy (Kent), Jackson Brammer (Sharon), Peyton Bushnell (Falls Village), Alisa Christiansen Madsen (North Canaan), Lilliana Hurley (North Canaan), Chase Kading (Millerton), Ayden Lemmy (Falls Village), McKenzie Lotz (Ashley Falls), Christopher Piscitello (North Canaan), Camila Sanchez Guerrero (Cornwall), Henry Skuza (Millbrook), Giovani Solorzano-Lemus (North Canaan), Nathan Young (Cornwall).
Grade 11
Bennett Wyatt Bayer (Salisbury), Sofia Bindley (Cornwall), Selena Black (Cornwall), Karen Chavez-Sanchez (Salisbury), Riley Heady (Sharon), Carson Riva (North Canaan), Ryan Segalla (Salisbury), Alanna Tatro (North Canaan), Juan Xeche Coche (North Canaan).
Grade 12
Peter Austin (Kent), Katherine Crane (North Canaan), Richard Crane (North Canaan), Nicholas Crodelle (Sharon), Mollie Ford (Falls Village), Nicolas Gonzalez (Salisbury), Maureen Graney (Falls Village), Taylor Green (Kent), Marc Hafner (Falls Village), Chloe Hill (Salisbury), Abram Kirshner (Kent), Logan Labshere (North Canaan), Eric Lopez Espinosa (Salisbury), Owen Riemer (North Canaan), Ava Segalla (Salisbury), Cole Simonds (North Canaan).
NORTH CANAAN — The Board of Finance elected its officers at the first meeting of the new term on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Doug Humes was re-elected as chair, and Brian Johnson was elected vice chair.
The board also filled a two-year vacancy by unanimously appointing Christian Allyn, who was sworn in immediately by Town Clerk Jean Jacquier.
Members then reviewed several budget line items that have exceeded their appropriations and will require the approval at a town meeting.
First Selectman Jesse Bunce, who attended the meeting, said the Board of Selectmen will likely call for that town meeting when it convenes on Monday, Dec. 15.