By Wiley Wood

In a municipal election that drew 53 percent of Norfolk’s voters to the polls, Matthew Riiska (D) was elected first selectman over William Reudgen (R) by a commanding lead.

At the polling station, where the results were announced shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m., Reudgen congratulated Riiska in front of a small crowd of election officials, reporters and town residents.

Speaking in an interview afterward, Riiska said “It’s been a long road.” He made an unsuccessful bid for first selectman in 2015, .

Riiska received 442 votes, or 76 percent of the votes cast, to Reudgen’s 136 votes, or 23 percent.

Susan Dyer (D) and Sandy Evans (R), who both ran unopposed, were elected to the Board of Selectmen.

In the other contested races, Graham Allyn (D) and Nina Ritson (R) were elected to the Board of Finance over Jeffrey Torrant (R); and Peter Mulville (D) was elected to the Zoning Board of Appeals over Frank Trager (R).

The town clerk, Linda Perkins, and the town treasurer, Chelsea Byrne, were cross-endorsed by both parties and will continue to serve in their respective positions.

The composition of the Board of Education will be unchanged. The same goes for the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Board of Finance will be unchanged except for the loss of an alternate.

The Board of Assessment Appeals will receive two new members, Colleen Gundlach (R) and Walter Godlewski (D).

William Couch, cross-endorsed by both parties, and Sarah Bruso (R) will join the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“I’m ready,” said Matt Riiska, the first selectman-elect. He will take office formally in two weeks, on Nov. 21.

Photo, of Matt Riiska at the recent first-selectman debate, by Bruce Frisch.