Few surprises in Washington election, Millbrook more complex

Washington — Nov. 2, Election Day, was busy in the Town of Washington and Village of Millbrook. With many issues pending in the adjacent communities, registered voters wanted to make sure they weighed in on who would be running their municipal boards.

TOW unofficial results

Incumbent Washington town Supervisor Gary Ciferri (REP) ran unopposed for another term in office. He clearly had voters’ support, earning all 877 votes cast, according to the unofficial results posted by the Dutchess County Board of Elections’ website, www.elections.dutchessny.gov, by late in the evening on Election Day. There were 10 write-in ballots for town supervisor.

Ciferri has served six years as supervisor. He previously served as mayor in the village of Millbrook from 1988 to 2003.

According to the BOE’s unofficial results, incumbent Councilman Michael Murphy (REP) came in first place with 637 votes; incumbent Councilman Stephen Turletes (REP) clinched the second regular seat with 613 votes; political newcomer and local farmer Doug Giles (My Millbrook Party—MMP) came in third place, garnering 591 votes; and attorney and political newcomer Leslie Heaney (MMP) came in fourth place, with 596 votes.

A seat on the TOW Town Board for an unexpired term brought a different set of candidates. That race was won by incumbent Councilman Joe Rochfort (REP), with 649 votes; newcomer, financial expert Andrew Spence (MMP), earned 571 votes.

Turletes has been on the Town Board for more than 20 years. Murphy will be starting his second elected term if his victory is confirmed. Rochfort is currently serving the unexpired term of the late Councilman Al DeBonis. Rochfort previously served one term as a trustee on the Millbrook Village Board.

It may be several weeks before the results for the other races in the Town of Washington (TOW) are confirmed due to absentee ballots, which must still be counted.

When asked for comment, Ciferri said it’s early to speak until all of the votes are tallied, but he did say everyone canvassed the area to get voters to head to the polls.

“We worked very hard, went out knocking on doors, talking to people, and the other side did as well,” he said. “I was disappointed that there was so much misinformation spread.”

Ciferri said he was referring to the controversial Second Mountain application currently on hold, which proposed converting the former Migdale estate into a spa and hotel in Mabbettsville. The one-time application led to a moratorium in town as well as the town’s Comprehensive Plan to be re-evaluated, and for the town to consider hospitality as a use.

Village unofficial results

The Village of Millbrook had one vacancy up for grabs, with two candidates running to fill the unexpired term created when Tim Collopy was elected mayor mid-term.

There was a mix-up with the ballots, causing only one seat to be listed, although two positions exist. The Village Board voted at a recent meeting to have the runner-up be appointed to serve for the next year. The elected winner and the appointed trustee may run again in 2022 for full four-year terms.

Newcomer, professor Peter Doro (REP) garnered 241 votes on Election Day, earning the win. Incumbent Trustee Buffy Arbogast (D), came in second place with 230 votes. Arbogast is currently serving an unexpired term; she will be appointed to the new board and be eligible to rerun the following year.