Result in Colonie supervisor race expected today

PHOTOGRAPHER: Bethany Bump

The race for Colonie town supervisor could be decided today, as officials at the Albany County Board of Elections began the arduous process of counting absentee ballots Wednesday.

Democratic incumbent Paula Mahan led Republican challenger Denise Sheehan by 296 votes when polls closed Nov. 8. But 954 outstanding absentee ballots are currently being counted, and board officials expect an unofficial tally by tonight.

Mahan, 60, is seeking a third two-year term since defeating six-term Republican incumbent Mary Brizzell in 2007. Mahan said she has helped reduce the town’s nearly $20 million deficit since winning the office long held by the GOP.

Mahan said if re-elected she would maintain fiscal stability, reduce the cost of town government and promote economic development within town to increase the tax base. She also said she would focus on improving the town’s aging infrastructure by following through on the town’s five-year master plan, which focuses on paving and drainage issues.

Her challenger ran on a platform to “get Colonie back on track,” citing among other things concern with the lease agreement the town signed for its landfill with California-based Waste Connections. Sheehan, 47, a former state Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner and town planning director, has said the 25-year deal with the private landfill operator was approved without public input.

If elected, Sheehan said she would undo the poor financial decisions made over the last few years that have negatively affected the town deficit.

To straighten out the town’s finances, Sheehan said she would implement economic development programs by relying on help from businesses, residents and community organizations.

The town supervisor’s salary is $118,229 a year.