CAPE VINCENT — Absentee votes gave the one-year seat on the Town Council to political newcomer Michelle T. Oswald.

“I’m honored to get elected and to serve the town as a councilwoman,” she said Thursday night, adding her opponent, Paul Aubertine, “put up a good fight.”

An outspoken critic of industrial wind development and a Republican, Mrs. Oswald said she intends to keep the job, hinting she is likely to run for re-election next year.

“I’m not all that surprised,” said Mr. Aubertine, who lost 707-654 after absentee ballots were counted. “I want to congratulate Michelle. She ran a good race.”

A majority of the town’s absentee voters are seasonal Cape Vincent residents who had voted for anti-wind candidates in the last two elections.

On election night, Mr. Aubertine was leading by 91 votes.

Thanking his supporters for making the race close, Mr. Aubertine said he’s a little disappointed but not discouraged and plans to run for town office again.

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