The New Hyde Park village election marked a changing of the guard on Tuesday, as Deputy Mayor Robert Lofaro was elected mayor of the village in an uncontested race, succeeding longtime Mayor Daniel Petruccio.
Petruccio who had opted to not seek re-election.
Veteran village trustees Donald Barbieri and Lawrence Montreuil, fellow Village Party candidates with Lofaro, also won re-election in uncontested races with Village Justice Christopher Devane.
The uncontested election produced a relatively low turnout, with Lofaro drawing 134 votes, while Barbieri received 131 votes, Montreuil, 139 votes and Devane drawing 144 votes.
“It’s exciting. Many of us have been on the board for a while, but this is still something new,” Lofaro said.
Lofaro, who has served as deputy mayor during the past 12 years of his 14-year tenure on the board, was chair of a five-member Citizen’s Budget Advisory Board prior to joining the board. Currently director of trade and risk services a major global investment bank, he has said he is particularly proud of his record in keeping the village finances on an even keel.
“We run the finances of the village like a business and that had been our objective from when I got in office 14 years ago. I’m a taxpayer too and I’m going to make spending decisions that are very well thought out,” Lofaro said after announcing his decision to run for mayor.
Barbieri, who has been wheelchair bound due to multiple sclerosis during his 13 years as village trustee, has said he remains dedicated to serving as trustee in the village he’s lived in his entire life.
“We fight on. We promise to keep a tight rein on expenses,” said Barbieri, who thanked residents for coming out in adverse weather conditions.
Montreuil was first elected village trustee in 1997. As village board liaison to the village zoning board of appeals, he has said he understands that a community’s quality of life is determined by how the land is zoned and used. He said he has focused on the village’s fight against illegal apartments.
“The appropriate regulation of land use is vital to preserving and improving our suburban way of life,” Montreuil said.
Devane, who has been village justice for the past 10 years, also serves as village justice of the peace, said he has officiated the marriages for more than 75 village couples.
Petruccio will preside over his final village board meeting at what Lofaro said will be a celebration of the mayor’s 12-year tenure in Village Hall on March 26 at a 8 p.m.
