Election 2016: One newcomer, four incumbents elected to Bristol council

One newcomer appears to be joining all four incumbents in the race for Town Council, though all results are unofficial pending a recount and tally of absentee ballots.
Democrat Andy Tyska, in his first race for Town Council, garnered the second highest votes in the race, trailing only Councilman Tim Sweeney. Council members Nathan Calouro, Mary Parella and Edward Stuart will also return to the council if the vote stands.
However, the state Board of Elections is expected to conduct a recount of votes cast at the Roger Williams University polling location after the voting machine there malfunctioned, according to Town Clerk Lou Cirillo.
“The machine took the ballots but didn’t count the votes,” Mr. Cirillo said. “The Board of Elections has said there is going to be a recount due to a technical issue.”
In addition, 934 absentee ballots were cast in Bristol, and are also expected to be counted at the Board of Elections Providence office on Wednesday.
Despite the pending recount, it appears the top five vote getters will remain at the top. Sixth place finisher Patrick McCarthy trailed Mr. Stuart by nearly 500 votes.
“I’m extremely excited,” Mr. Tyska said immediately after the vote totals came in at Jacky’s Galaxie, where he and his fellow democrats gathered Tuesday night. “I think there’s recognition that the Town Council is a team, and I have the ability to work with them and supplement their progress.”
Mr. Tyska, the owner of Bristol Marine, said he believes his business prowess was a factor in the race, along with the commitment to the town through his service on various boards and commissions over the years.
“It’s not just my business background, but also the days I’ve served the community,” he said. “I have that diversified focus that’s needed on the Town Council.”
Councilman Sweeney secured the most number of votes for the second election in a row, which he said is a sign Bristol residents believe the town is moving in the right direction.
“I’m on cloud 9 right now,” Mr. Sweeney said. “I’m so pleased Bristol residents are happy with what we’re doing on the council.”
Council President Calouro, the third-place finisher, also saw the results as a sign residents are happy with the council’s progress. All four incumbents — Councilman Halsey Herreshoff did not run this year after decades in public service  — are returning for another term.
“They like that we work together - what we’re accomplishing,” Mr. Calouro said.
Councilman Stuart said the top priorities for the council going forward include fighting the court decision that forces Bristol to pay about $2 million more per year to the regional school district with Warren, as well as keeping the town budget down and continuing to improve roads and infrastructure. The council is working on such issues and residents appear to want them to continue, he said.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” Councilman Stuart said. “I ;m very happy the residents put their trust in me. I just want to get back to work for the residents.”
The unofficial vote totals for each of the nine candidates for Town Council (excluding the Roger Williams University votes and absentee ballots) include:
    •    Timothy Edward Sweeney (D) - 4,648
    •    Andrew T. Tyska (D) - 4,533
    •    Nathan T. Calouro (D) - 4,458
    •    Mary A. Parella (R) - 4,277
    •    Edward P. Stuart (D) - 4,008
    •    Patrick M. McCarthy (R) - 3,585
    •    Aaron John Ley (D) - 3,506
    •    Ann S. Gardner (I) - 3,322
    •    Marco Capaldi (R) - 2,832