By Andra Moss
Photo by Kelly Kandra Hughes

The results of Norfolk’s 2021 municipal elections were officially released by Town Clerk Linda Perkins on Thursday, Nov. 4. Although local turnout for the election was not high, with 469 votes cast out of an electorate of 1,162, Norfolk’s voting rate of 44 percent still topped many Connecticut municipalities, which hovered around 30 percent. There were 34 absentee ballots cast in Norfolk and two by voters who registered on election day.

Election preparation and day-of activities require many able hands to ensure a smooth and transparent result. In advance of election day, registrars Dee Perron and Tony Fellows conduct mail and telephone canvasses to ensure continued accuracy of the voting list. They must document every person on their list that is removed and why. The registrars also oversee, along with moderator Albert Ginouves, and in accordance with strict state guidelines, the pre-election testing of voting machines and their installation on election morning. The town clerk manages the absentee ballot requests and returns. Every stage of the election process is defined by Connecticut statutes and administered by the Secretary of State’s office. 

Many additional Norfolk residents also deserve thanks for stepping up to supervise polling, man the voting booths, register new voters and more. These include: Carol Ball, Lynn Deasy, Marion Felton, Steve Getz, Felix Graham-Jones, Janis Graham-Jones, Meg Hill, Kelly Kandra Hughes and Bill Thomas. 

They, in turn, were supported in spirit, coffee and sustaining nourishment by Ryan Craig of the Berkshire Store, Heidi Dinsmore of Wood Creek Bar & Grill and Stefanie Gouey of Station Place Café. It does, indeed, take a village.

The overall election results in Norfolk were:

First Selectman: Matthew T. Riiska (D)

Selectmen: Paul L. Madore (D), Alexandria S. Evans (R)

Town Clerk: Linda S. Perkins (D)

Town Treasurer: Chelsea J. DeWitt (D)

Board of Finance: J. Michael Sconyers (D), Susan E. Anderson (R)

Board of Education: Jay Whitaker (D), Ann R. DeCerbo (R), John DeShazo (D), Janet Ann Byrne (R)

Board of Assessment Appeals: Walter Godlewski (D), Eric R. Gundlach (R)

Planning & Zoning Commission: Jonathan Sanoff (D), Kevin Gundlach (R)

Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate Full Term: Williard Wood (D)

Zoning Board of Appeals Full Term: Christopher Peterson (D), Leo F. Colwell Jr. (D)

Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate: Walter Godlewski (D)