DeBartolomeis-Denice Contest Closest Since 2005

was returned to public office last week in an election that many voters suspected was the closest in recent years.

It was the tightest margin in seven years, according to election results provided by the Milford Town Clerk's office.

DeBartolomeis was elected to an 11th term on the Board of Selectmen with 58 percent of the vote, or 1,682 of the votes cast. collected 1,211.

In 2005, Selectman Bill Buckley was elected with 56 percent of the vote, defeating Cynthia Kearns.

And in 2004, Brian Murray was elected with an even tighter margin: 53 percent of the votes cast, in a contest over William Kingkade Jr.

That year saw the highest turnout of the past decade: 4,319 people cast ballots.

In the past 10 years, selectmen ran uncontested for re-election five times.