NORWICH – In what turned out to be an extremely close race in the City of Norwich, incumbent Mayor Joseph Maiurano beat challenger Michael Carnrike by a margin of 165 votes. Even closer was the race for City Supervisor for Wards 1, 2 and 3, where absentee ballots will have to be counted before a final determination can be made.

At the close of the polls Tuesday night, Maiurano had the majority of the vote for Norwich City Mayor, with 881 votes, while Carnrike trailed with 616.

Maiurano addressed a crowd of supporters at the Ontario Hotel after the results came in Tuesday. “The city is doing well. We can move forward only if we keep things positive and never go back to accusing each other and doing things the wrong way. We have to have priorities and get things done in a proper manner,” Maiurano said.

The newly re-elected mayor, who lost his brother only a week before the election, dedicated the election to his sibling. “One of the things I think you know, is that in the last week, I lost my brother Jim. I want to dedicate this election Jim. He was a super individual, and I know he’s looking down on me,” Maiurano said. The mayor also took the time to thank all of the individuals who helped him through the election process, including his wife Dawn, his two children and the rest of his family.