Tie Means No Special Election To Replace John George

In an ironic twist Monday night, the Dartmouth Select Board voted in a tie regarding the special election to replace former member, John George, Jr.

The 2-2 tie means an election will not be held to fill the fifth seat, which would avoid such situations.

Select Board member, Frank Gracie supported the election despite the $25,000 price. Gracie said a delayed or wrong decision made without the extra member could lose the town more than the election cost.

An election can still be held if a citizens' petition gathers at least 200 signatures. If the Select Board's decision is overturned with a petition soon, the earliest an election could be held is July 22.

Select Board member, Stanley Mickelson voted against the election. He says most people he's spoken to in the past week are against it because of the money.

"I'm going to sleep very, very well tonight knowing that I made the correct choice representing the multitude of the residents of Dartmouth," Mickelson said.

John George, Jr. officially resigned from his Select Board post last week, after he was found guilty in a federal embezzlement case in April.