Burrell leading Vernon Township mayoral race

Early results show Howard L. Burrell will be the next mayor of Vernon Township, winning a four-year term with 43.51 percent of the votes., according to unofficial results provided by the Sussex County Board of Elections.

Burrell earned 2,435 votes, according to unofficial results provided by the Sussex County Board of Elections, and if elected will begin his term on Jan. 1, 2020.

Daniel J. Storey about 100 votes behind him with 2,331.

Mail-in ballots will be accepted by the Board of Elections up to 48 hours after the polls close as long as they don't bear a postmark later than Election Day. Provisional ballots also are to be counted within 48 hours of Election Day, which could affect the final outcome.

Council President Jean Murphy only gained 14.36 percent of the votes tallied (804). She will remain on the township council with her term ending on Dec. 31, 2021.

Current Mayor Harry Shortway won a seat on the Township Council, along with Kelly Weller, who ran with Storey as a team.

Weller won the most votes in the council race (2,816) and Shortway got 2,675 votes.

They will begin their four-year terms on Jan. 1, 2020 after winning a four-way race over Joseph S. “Scott” Ghysels and Margaret M. Distasi.

"I am committed to a smooth transition for the incoming administration," Shortway said.

Two of the three incumbents on the Vernon Township Board of Education will retain their seats as Kelly Mitchell and Joseph A. Sweeney were elected to full three-year terms. They were both appointed to their seats after previous board members resigned.

Jennifer Pellet also was elected to a three-year term.

Incumbent Adina Leuthner, who was appointed to the Board of Education earlier this year after the resignation of former school board Vice President Lauren McGee, finished fifth.

Vernon Township voters also rejected by a wide margin (3,805-1,861) a 10-year tax for recreational purposes.