Collier, Arkinson, Gray win in Milton

Mayor John Collier was elected to a new three-year term March 1, after fending off a challenge from Vice Mayor Lee Revis-Plank.

In addition to Collier, incumbent Councilman Tom Arkinson and Robert Gray will take seats on town council in April, with Alan Pongratz finishing third.

Collier received 398 votes to Revis-Plank’s 222 in the mayor’s race. Of Collier’s votes, 362 were via voting machine with 36 absentee votes. Collier was first elected mayor in 2022 after defeating two-term incumbent Ted Kanakos.

“It was work,” Collier said. “I had to work for it. It wasn’t easy. I just want to continue the work we started. There’s a whole lot of work to be done.”

The high vote-getter overall was Gray, who finished with 476 votes - 432 by machine and 44 by absentee ballot. Arkinson finished second with 428 votes and Pongratz had 226.

Gray said, “I’m very grateful that the citizens chose to vote for me. The best part of the campaign was going out to meet people. I met a whole lot of nice people who invited me into their kitchen to have a cup of coffee. 

“I feel great about it,” Arkinson said. “I’m ready to get home and get ready to work.”

Arkinson said the best part of the campaign was being challenged to focus on what Milton residents want. 

Exactly 50% of Milton’s eligible voters turned out to vote, as 624 out of 1,248 registered voters submitted a ballot.