Democrat Challengers Topple Incumbents In Barnegat

Democrats will now hold the majority vote on the Barnegat Township Committee following tonight's election.

Challengers Elaine Taylor and Susan Conway defeated former mayor and current township committeeman Jeffrey Melchiondo and current mayor Al Cirulli, who have been serving on the committee since 2004, who ran on the same Republican ticket.

With all districts reporting, but mail ins yet to be tallied, Conway recieved 4,852 votes, Taylor 4,776 votes, Melchiondo, 3,756, and Cirulli, 3,676.

Taylor is a former Board of Education member and stay-at-home mother and Conway, who grew up in Barnegat, works as an attorney in Northern New Jersey. Conway served on a charter commission to re-examine the form of government in town several years ago.

Interviewed by Patch this evening, Taylor said she and Conway are "ecstatic" with the results.

Conway said that she and Taylor's immediate plans involve going over the budget with a "fine tooth comb" to see if there are any areas that should be tightened up.

Cirulli thanked his supporters, and said he will spend the remainder of his term as mayor "trying to tie up loose ends."

Melchiondo echoed those comments, noting that "we've worked hard for Barnegat over these years, adn we're not going to turn away between now and Dec. 31."

Incumbent Frank Caputo was reelected to a Board of Education seat, along with Kim Murphy, of Tradewinds Avenue, and Grace Paulus, of Jenelle Drive. They recieved more votes than one of Caputo's running mates, James Brown.

Around noon today, voters at the high school reported little to no lines for voting. 

Later in the day, one township official reported "all of the polling places are busy," but lines are moving quickly. "We're having a busy but quiet election."