Brown, Batalon & McDaniel secure seats on Burrillville Town Council, 461 submit write in votes
BURRILLVILLE – Just three candidates were vying for three open seats on the Burrillville Town Council, but residents did register some discontent with their choices in the 2024 election cycle, with 461 voters writing in alternative names.
And Councilor Justin Batalon came in third in the contest results behind political newcomers Anne Brown and Kevin McDaniel, a somewhat unusual showing for a more well-known incumbent.
Batalon, a Pawtucket native who has lived in town for more than 20 years, secured 4,465 votes according to the yet-to-be-certified tally released by the Board of Elections on Wednesday, Nov. 6. The Republican councilor was first elected in 2018, and also serves on the Harrisville Fire & Water District Operating Committee.
Brown, a semi-retired registered nurse, won 5,063 votes, ahead of McDaniel with 4,700. The town's top vote getter in 2024 is also a Republican and like Batalon, serves on the Harrisville Fire & Water District board, in a role as secretary.
"I was impressed," Brown told NRI NOW Wednesday of her positive election results. "I'm going to serve them well, and do my best."
McDaniel, a member of the Burrillville Republican Town Committee, is a former project manager for CVS who currently works as a contractor.
Councilor Dennis Anderson said McDaniel has been attending the council's meetings since he declared his candidacy in June, describing the town's new councilor as a, "quiet, thoughtful guy."
"My take is he'll be taking it all in and observing a lot to start," said Anderson. "There is a learning curve to come up to speed with all of the ordinances and everything."
NRI NOW hopes to learn more from McDaniel himself and had scheduled a brief interview with the political newcomer for Wednesday afternoon.
As of Wednesday, the town's Board of Canvasser had just finished reading through the names of the write in votes, which had not yet been completely tallied, according to Deputy Town Clerk Pam Pelletier.
In a letter last month , resident Jennifer Plante advised voters who are dissatisfied with the current board to write in an alternative, citing the ongoing conflict regarding installation of a artificial turf field at Burrillville High School. Plante has said she plans to launch an official campaign herself in the 2026 election cycle.
On the School Committee three incumbents secured another term, defeating a challenge by independent candidate John Anthony Scott.
The tally showed Sean Bouzan secured the most votes at 4,112, followed by Donison Allen at 3,986 and Victor Bevilacqua at 3,656. Scott received 3,356, according to the early results.
NRI NOW will edit this story as more information becomes available.
