BARRINGTON — Democrats expanded their Town Council majority to four out of five seats with the election of former Barrington Little League president James Schwartz, while Republican John Lazzaro scored the highest council vote total as he won reelection yesterday.

Lazzaro, a former Barrington police chief, got 4,240 votes and Schwartz, a physician, received 4,171 votes, while Republican Ronald D. Russo, an inventor with several patents to his name, got 2,859, and independent Richard Asinof, a communications consultant and award-winning journalist, received 2,148, according to results compiled by the town clerk’s office.

But the close race was for town moderator as Republican incumbent Allan C. Klepper defeated Democrat John R. Veader.

For School Committee, incumbent and top vote-getter Democrat Amy Page Oberg won reelection with 4,412 votes; Republican Deborah S. Thurston was also reelected with 3,770 votes. Each beat back challenges from Democrat Thomas R. Flanagan, who garnered 3,359 votes, and Republican Giovanni D. Cicione, who got 2,604 votes, according to the town clerk’s results.

A party bolstering its council majority might mean much in another town, but Barrington’s council has been known for unanimous votes and absence of party-line debate or personality clashes in recent years. Whether the council will keep that tenor or take on a different one remains to be seen.

Candidates seemed to agree that a state-aid formula is needed to send state aid to Barrington in a fairer, more predictable way.

Lazzaro said during the campaign the current lineup has worked well together. Two Democrats not up for election this year “endorsed” Lazzaro, a Republican, as well as Democrat Schwartz in a Barrington Times letter.

Russo and Asinof, from interviews, published statements and comments at council meetings, seemed poised to bring different voices to the council.