Reading, MA — By a vote of 2-0-1, the Board of Registrars set Saturday, April 22 at 9:00 am in the Hawkes Field House as the time and place for the recount of the ballots from the April 4 Select Board and Board of Library Trustees elections. Town Clerk Laura Gemme was the abstaining vote.
This vote came after Gemme explained the recount process. Each of the candidates requesting the recount, Mellissa Murphy in the Select Board race and Brian Curry in the Board of Library Trustees race, submitted a petition from each of the eight precincts, each with at least ten signatures on them. After Gemme informed the board that she had certified that all of the persons who signed the petitions were registered voters, the board voted 2-0-1 to certify all petitions. Gemme again abstained.
As one member of the board is out of the country and unable to participate in the recount, the board voted 2-0-1 to recommend that the Select Board appoint a temporary member for the purpose of the recount. As the missing member is a Democrat, a registered Democrat will be the replacement. By a vote of 2-0-1, David Zeek will be recommended to the Select Board to fill the role. Gemme abstained in both votes.
The Select Board will vote on Tuesday evening to act on the recommendation. The Board of Registrars adjourned at 6:20 pm.
