The town's first ever bond questions were torpedoed in a big way. A question on whether voters wanted the town to borrow $2.1 million to improve the town's roads was supported by 147 voters and opposed by 454, while a question asking if voters wanted the town to borrow $2.1 million to build a municipal building fared even worse with 110 in favor and 491 against, according to the unofficial results.

The bond may also account for the turnout. Of the 615 voters who cast a ballot — over 25 percent of the more than 2,000 registered voters in town — nearly everyone had an opinion on bonds.

Had they passed, the bonds would have increased property taxes in the area, and Town Administrator Karen Mahalick said the vote was very decisively against such an increase. She said the results may have something to do with the national headlines and the country's economy, however.

"They do not want to be taxed," she said. "I think it's the political climate. What's in the news lately?"

She also mentioned the influence of local Tea Party groups, who had put up signs protesting the bond. The nearly 5 to 1 defeat of the bond may also put the breaks on future bond elections, at least for a while, she said. The town may wait for some indication that voters are more willing to accept an increase in taxes, she said.

The other issue voters decided, though not nearly so decisively, was who will sit on the town council. Chuck Ring, who has been off the council since he ran for mayor two years ago, received 365 votes, followed by incumbent Rita-Loy Simmons, who took 350. Both will be council members later this month, while incumbent Glenn Felton, who received 273 votes, will lose his position after Wednesday.

"I think it's just a year that people are inclined to get rid of incumbents and oppose any new tax," Felton said.

Mayor Robert Stearley had only endorsed Felton in the election. Felton said he didn't know if that endorsement had helped or hindered him.

"My opposition tried to turn that into a negative," he said. "There were grumblings about whether or not it was ethical."

Felton pointed out that, as an elected official, Stearley's job is to do what he feels is best for the town and it is his right to express an opinion.

"In general Mayor Stearley is very popular," he said. "The election in 2008 would indicate that."

In a three-way election in 2008, Stearley took in 399 votes, while Chuck Ring and then-mayor Howard Calkins got 172 and 204 votes, respectively.

Felton pointed out that Ring's support had more than doubled in two years, adding that, it would seem, Ring had found a vein of supporters in the last few years.

After the results were announced, Ring said he would try to serve everyone in Edgewood.

"I'm happy it ended like it did," he said. "I'm anxious to get back to work."

Simmons said Ring probably took a few more votes than she did because he went out and shook more people's hands than she did.

"I'm really impressed," she said. "It just shows, when a candidate goes out and works hard."