CROMWELL - A longtime Cromwell volunteer is its newest �" and second ever �" Mayor.

       Republican Allan Spotts edged Democratic candidate Aigne Goldsby on Tuesday, holding the GOP’s Council majority while winning the top seat in a race in which the two mayoral contenders were, according to the Secretary of State’s unofficial results, 153 votes apart.

       Third party candidate Jamin Deproto tallied 361 votes �" for 8.5 percent of the ballots cast.

       “I’m incredibly proud of the effort this slate of candidates put forward. They worked tirelessly, right up until the last day, and it showed in the results,” said Cromwell Republican Town Committee (CRTC) Chair Steven Fortenbach, who won a second Council term. “We had solid candidates up and down the ballot, and I think people recognized that.”

       Republicans also retained Board of Education and Board of Finance control.

       Joining Spotts and Fortenbach behind the Council diose are first-term incumbents Jack Henehan and former Deputy Mayor Jen Donahue - Spotts made Fortenbach his Deputy for this term.

       Spotts, a former CRTC Chair who served on the Board of Selectmen before Cromwell moved to a mayoral government style, will fill the seat left by Enzo Faienza, who served 8 years in the Council’s top seat.

       “It’s a bittersweet day for me but I can’t think of a finer person than my dear friend Allan Spotts to take over and lead our town,” Faienza wrote in an Election Day Facebook post. “He is a man of great integrity, honor and has great experience. He knows the town so well as he has been involved for so many years.”

       And while Democrats fell short Tuesday, they’re chalking it up to progress �" with newcomer Paula Luna joining Council incumbents James Demetriades and Al Waters, local Dems have bucked the supermajority of the past two years.

       "Definitely excited about the additional seat, and Paula's going to be a great addition,” Demetriades said in an election night phone call.

       "No one wants to not win, but it wasn't for me - it was for the town,” Goldsby added over the phone the next day. “If you look at the result, it shows that we’ve inspired people. People are paying attention and that's a good thing."

       Goldsby wished Spotts well �" and didn’t rule out a return in some form or another.

       “This isn't the last time you'll see me in politics,” she said.

       Second-term incumbent Demetriades, an attorney by trade, was the high vote-getter among all Council candidates.

       “We ran a good campaign and brought a lot of new voices into the process,” Demetriades said. “I’m proud of my team, and excited and humbled to have been supported again. I’m excited to get back to work.”

       On the school board, Republicans elected Matthew Zabroski, Celina Kelleher, Alan R. Schumann, Jr., and Kelly Franklin.

       Democrats added Kelly Cloutier.

       GOP candidates Brian Stermer and John Ireland won Board of Finance seats.