By The Long Islander News staff

Votes were cast Tuesday in fire and water commissioner elections across the Town of Huntington.

Fire and water districts across the Town of Huntington tallied up votes in the annual commissioner elections this past Tuesday.

Several incumbents were unopposed in their quest for reelection, but one incumbent in Melville was defeated by a challenger.

Incumbent Melville Fire Commissioner incumbent James Coschignano Jr., who earned 221 votes, was defeated by challenger Phillip Foundos, who earned 239 votes. Foundos, who has stated that he has been involved with the Melville Fire Department for the past 15 years, is elected to a five-year term on the board of fire commissioners.

Elsewhere, incumbents ran the table.

In Centerport, incumbent Peter Gunther ran unopposed and earned all 31 votes cast in the election. He is elected to a five-year-term on the board.

Incumbent Cold Spring Harbor Fire Commissioner John Parker also ran unopposed and claimed 40 votes on his way to victory and a five-year term.

As for Commack, incumbent Jerome Quigley, who was elected to an expiring term on the board last year, earned 105 votes on his way to a five-year term.

Robert Commisso, incumbent commissioner in the Dix Hills Fire District, ran unopposed and won a five-year seat on the board with 37 votes. There was also one vote for write-in candidate William Stio, and two blank votes.

In East Northport, Wayne Kaifler Sr. was re-elected for a second five-year term. He ran unopposed and won with 158 votes, with one vote going to write-in candidate William Gilman.

Incumbent Brian Gorman ran unopposed for a five-year term on the Eaton’s Neck Fire District’s board. He earned 28 of 43 votes cast on his way to reelection.

Incumbent Greenlawn Fire Commissioner Douglas Tewksbury ran unopposed and earned 58 of the 63 votes cast. He is elected to a five-year term.

In the Halesite Fire District, incumbent Andrew Magerle ran unopposed and secured another five-year term. Also, Jeff Schondebare won the unopposed election to complete the remaining year of a five-year term formerly held by Wayne Jeno. Both candidates received 30 votes each.

Incumbent Huntington Fire Commissioner Thomas Collins ran unopposed and won another five-year term with 39 votes.

Finally, incumbent in the Huntington Manor Fire District, Ray Spatafora, was elected to a five-year term with 257 votes. Spatafora ran unopposed.

Near surprise in South Huntington Water District

Incumbent South Huntington Water Commissioner Paul Tonna was unopposed on the ballot, but a write-in candidate pressed him for his seat during Tuesday’s election.

Tonna was easily reelected with 173 votes, but, write-in candidate Dennis Garetano earned 77 votes.

In the Greenlawn Water District, incumbent commissioner John McLaughlin ran unopposed and won another three-year term with 53 votes. He’s been a commissioner at the district for 21 years.

Editor's note: Wayne Jeno did not die.
An earlier version of this story mistakenly stated otherwise.