BURRILLVILLE — Two incumbents on the local Town Council – including the panel’s president – won reelection last night and helped stave off a scenario that worried them even more than defeat.

The council’s president, Nancy F. Binns, and her colleague, Councilwoman Margaret Dudley, had feared the election of Independents who might ally themselves with Councilman Kevin Blais, a divisive figure on the local political scene.

But in the wake of last night’s election, the only new arrival to the panel was Democrat Kevin D. Heitke. Both incumbents say they can work with Heitke, a lawyer.

Blais also reacted favorably to Heitke’s election.

“I’m excited,” he said, “I’m pleased to see Kevin Heitke got on.”

“I think he’s a great guy,” he said. “I think he will be an asset to the town. Hopefully, he can generate a cohesion of this Town Council.”

Binns had feared the election of two Independents – Robert Bishop and Robert J. Marshall – might empower Blais, who is seen as a source of friction by many of his colleagues on the seven-person panel.

His extensive questions and critiques on various council proposals often delay business that the council’s other members would prefer to handle with greater efficiency.

Blais has developed a contentious and rocky relationship with various town employees, including Town Manager Michael Wood.

During the past year, Blais has resisted the town’s attempt to enforce local zoning laws that prevent him from keeping construction equipment and other heavy machinery at his home on Tarkiln Road.

In advance of yesterday’s vote, Blais said he simply wanted to see “new faces” on the council and he didn’t have any preferences.

He said he had spent time campaigning on behalf of whoever had asked him for help, including Marshall, Bishop and another Independent candidate, Newton B. Stevens. He said he had welcomed Heitke to his post outside Burrillville Middle School.

Blais said he would need one other ally to stop some town spending because the town’s charter prevents officials from spending certain funds without approval from at least six council members.

In the wake of yesterday’s vote, he was unwilling to place such an expectation on Heitke, noting the new councilman’s affiliation with the Democrat party. Blais is an Independent.

Blais said he would try to work with all members of the council.

“I extend an olive branch week after week and week,” he said, “and week after week, they slap me in the face.”

mreynold@projo.com / (401) 277-7490