ROCKY HILL - The Rocky Hill municipal elections brought a new leader to the mayor’s seat by a close call while in Cromwell Enzo Faience, who ran uncontested, was elected to a second term.

       Democratic candidate Claudia Baio edged incumbent Mayor Henry Vasel with 2,081 votes to his 1,986 in the Nov. 3 election.

       Former mayor Anthony LaRosa, who served for four terms, was elected to the Town Council, along with fellow Democrats Joe Kochanek, John Emmanuel and William O’Sullivan. Elected Republican councilors were Nadine Bell, Cathy Vargas and Frank Szeps. Vasel will also serve on the Council.

       Elected Board of Education members are Frank Morse, Jennifer Simboski Allison, Brian Dillon, Rene â€�"Skip” Rivard, Laurie J. Boske, Danielle Alfano Plona, Maria Mennella, Barry D. Goldberg and Dilip Desai.

       Two referendum questions were approved on Election Day. By more than a 2-1 margin, Rocky Hill voters approved bonding $6.45 million for the acquisition of fire department fleet vehicles and equipment, modernization of the town’s police dispatch and radio communication infrastructure and improvements to the police station. The second approved question amendment of the Rocky Hill Town Charter per the final report of the Charter Revision Commission, approved by the Council Aug. 17.

       Michael Casparino, Susan Moores and Steven Drapeau were elected the Board of Assessment Appeals and Joe Coelho, Philip H. Benoit, Stephen Park, Gregory Faulkner and James Reilly fill out the Zoning Board of Appeals, with William Tangney, Michelle Zak and John Bedlack as alternates.

       In Cromwell, Republican Faienza, who collected 1,813 votes, will continue lead a Republican majority in the Town Council.

       Republican Deputy Mayor Richard R. Newton was re-elected with 1,380 votes along with Councilor Frank C. Emanuele Jr., who switched to the Republican party, with 1,319 votes. Newcomer Samantha C. Slade was elected with 1,355 votes and Ed Wenners, who served on the Board of Finance, rounded out the Republican seats on the Council with 1,135 votes.

       Incumbent Councilor Allan Waters was re-elected with 1,165 votes running as a Democrat, joined by Thomas Tokarz, who edged out Shirley Banic by one vote, after a recount.

       Assistant Town Clerk Johan Ahlquist, a Democrat, secured the position of town clerk over former councilor Allan Spotts, by approximately 300 votes. Tax Collector Douglas Sienna remained in office against opponent Stanley Stachura.

       Board of Education Republican incumbents Megan J. Midgley, Philip L. Gagnon and Jay V. Fletcher were all re-elected. Former first selectman and Democrat John. M. Flanders had a narrow, 13-vote victory over Cali Conway-Floryan in a recount.

       Republicans John â€�"Jack” Henehan and Julius C. Neto, chair and vice chair of the Board of Finance, were both re-elected, as well.