Residents held on to two incumbents and their running mate for three seats on Spotswood’s governing body in Tuesday’s municipal election.

In what each said may be their final bid for re-election, Mayor Barry Zagnit and Councilman James Shearn were given new four-year terms as mayor and borough councilman, respectively. Their running mate, Edward Seely, was elected to his first four-year term on the council.

Zagnit, who as in past elections ran unchallenged for mayor, received 671 votes. Newcomer Seely led all council candidates with 524 votes, while incumbent Shearn garnered 505. Newcomer Marge Drozd, who previously served on the Board of Education, was unsuccessful with 437 votes.

Out of Spotswood’s 4,603 registered voters, only 834 — slightly more than 18 percent — cast ballots in the election.

Shearn and Zagnit have each served for eight years. Seely will take the seat held by Councilman Kevin Meade, who did not seek re-election Tuesday.

The same thing was on the minds of all three winners Tuesday — in particular, continuing the progress Spotswood has made recently with regard to fixing up roads and rehabilitating the water infrastructure.

"Basically, we wanted to win because we have unfinished business," Shearn said after the election results were in. "We’re very happy to have Ed Seely on board with us. I couldn’t be happier that we’re together."

"When we took office in 1996, the list of things to do was overwhelming," Zagnit said. "I didn’t think it would ever get done. We took it slow and tried to get it right the first time. But we didn’t get into these situations overnight, and we won’t get out of them overnight."

Zagnit was referring to the borough’s water system, which has had occasional discoloration problems for years. He was also speaking about roads in need of repairs and areas where traffic is a problem.

"I’m extremely humbled by the confidence the townspeople have shown in me," said Zagnit, a retired Spotswood police chief and also currently its acting business administrator. "I was born and raised here, and will do everything in my power to live up to the confidence the residents have shown in me."

Drozd said she was disappointed with the election results, but would not speculate on whether she will run again. She maintains, however, that she will stay involved in the community.

"I talked to Barry last week and I told him that, win or lose, I would always stay involved and active," she said after the election. "That’s what I am, what I do."

Shearn is glad to have Seely on board, but he was also impressed with Drozd.

"She is certainly an asset to the town, and I hope she stays involved," he said.

Seely said he was pleased about his election and is anxious for the swearing-in ceremony planned for July 1.

"I supported the mayor for all his terms, and Jim lives two blocks from me," he said. "I hope to bring more to the table, and would like to see the projects through."

Shearn said this will likely be his last term. "This will be 12 years, and that will be enough," he said.

Zagnit also said that while he will not commit to any decision four years from now, after this term he will take a "long look" at whether he will seek another.

"It’s a taxing job," he said.

Drozd said the total number of voters was actually greater this year than in some previous municipal elections.

"It’s still a low turnout, and I think it needs to be addressed," she said, adding that May is not the best month to hold an election.

BY VINCENT TODARO

Staff Writer

Nonpartisan election sees about 18 percent voter participation

Spotswood voters elect

Zagnit, Shearn, Seely