Belleville Mayor Michael Melham tonight lost reelection, falling to challenger Councilman Frank Velez - the young comer - in an inter-generational showdown.

Melham was hoping to secure a third four-year term as Belleville mayor, but Velez upset him a week after a devastating fire upended the Essex County town.

The sitting mayor last year backed Jack Ciattarelli for governor.

Velez ran a positive - but firmly anti-Trump - change candidacy.

On Election Day, the mayor was writing a letter to Governor Mikie Sherrill seeking assistance as the Essex County town tries to dig out from under the devastating fire.

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