ALFRED — Voters in Alfred,  by nearly a two-to-one margin, rejected a plan to buy and renovate the old York County Jail for use as a town hall in Tuesday’s elections.

The vote was 556 against the plan, and 268 in favor.

Voters also returned incumbent Selectman Tony Palminteri to office, casting 448 votes in his favor while his challenger Thomas Stonehouse, earned 303 votes.

“I’m grateful,” said Palminteri of his re-election.

Voters were asked if they wished to bond $1.6 million as part of the overall $1.9 million projected cost to purchase and renovate the former county jail as a Town Hall.

“The people who voted made a decision and now we turn the page,” said Palminteri of the outcome on the old jail vote.

The three-person Selectmen’s Board voted earlier this year to put the jail question to the voters, citing a lack of space at the current Town Hall and little room in which to expand. A study several years ago suggested the town could gain more space using the second story of the current Town Hall, but added that it would be a temporary measure.

“The Town Hall has some significant restrictions, but I can’t support putting $400,000 into that building to pick up a small amount of square footage,” said Palminteri. He said the town would have to add another staircase and install an elevator to make the second floor usable, and he pointed out that the restrooms on the first floor are not code compliant and would need renovation.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.