John Mason is reporting in the Register-Star two Democrats, Arthur McGuire in Taghkanic and Patti Matheney of Ghent, have prevailed in their respective town board races following the tabulation of absentee ballots by the Columbia County Board of Elections. In Taghkanic, McGuire and incumbent Republican Richard Skoda came out the winners; in Ghent, Matheney and incumbent Republican Peter Nelson were the top vote-getters. McGuire defeated incumbent Linda Swartz by one vote. Matheney defeated incumbent Richard Sardo. Both will take the oath of office January 1. The ballot count was completed last week, but the final results were not determined until ballot challenges were resolved Tue., Nov. 24. Read the full story in the Register-Star.