Connolly, Chefetz win Saltaire election

The second time was the charm for Ann Connolly.

In Saltaire's village election Friday, Connolly won the most votes (88) to gain one of two open trustee seats on the board. Incumbent Alexander K. Chefetz won the other seat with 55 votes, eking out a win over longtime trustee Hugh O'Brien, who received 53 votes. Connolly and Chefetz will serve two-year terms.

On Monday, the trustees-elect are scheduled to be sworn in at the Fire Island village's board meeting at 9 a.m. Last year, Connolly was one of four candidates vying for two open trustee spots, but lost to incumbent John A. Zaccaro Jr. and Frank Wolf.

Connolly, 60, a professional management consultant from Pelham who describes herself as a lifelong Saltaire resident, has said her problem-solving abilities, knowledge of the village and business experience qualified her as a candidate.

Connolly did not respond to a request for comment.

Chefetz, 50, an investment banker from Manhattan, declined to speak with Newsday, but had said in a campaign letter that he wants to maintain the village's fiscal health while Saltaire recovers from the expensive blow dealt by superstorm Sandy. This will be his second full term as trustee, though he has already served three years after being appointed to fill a vacated seat.

Hugh O'Brien, 60, lamented losing his bid for what would have been a 12th term as trustee. "I'm very disappointed to have lost," O'Brien said. "I think the two people who were elected are very good . . . My main regret is that I'm not going to be on the board when we continue the work of reconstruction after Sandy."