Council directs attorney to explore moving special election after debate over $60,000 estimate

Council members on Sept. 22 voted to ask the town attorney to investigate whether the special election for a vacant council seat, currently scheduled for March 9, 2027, can be moved to coincide with the November 2027 general election.

Council member Wright moved the directive and said the body should explore “any potential paths” to move the date to reduce the town’s expense; Wright said the goal was to align the special election with the general election to avoid a separate, costly vote. "I move that the town council direct the town attorney to continue to investigate any potential paths that this body can take to have the special election scheduled for 03/09/2027 ... moved to coincide with the November 2027 general election," Wright said (motion text on the record). The motion was seconded and passed on voice roll-call.

The motion followed extended debate over timing and cost. Council members said the court-entered writ for the special election was filed Aug. 21, which closed a 21‑day window (Sept. 11) for amending the date. Several council members argued that action at prior meetings could have preserved that window; others emphasized the fiscal trade-off. One council member said the separate March election could cost the town about $60,000 — "a lot of money" — and noted the figure translates to roughly $6.35 per resident when spread across the town.

Council members also framed the question as a balance between returning the seat to voters quickly and fiscal stewardship; some speakers said residents they had spoken with preferred saving the money, while others stressed the principle of restoring an elected seat as soon as possible. The council did not change the March 9 date at the meeting; the motion instructs the town attorney to report back with legal options and implications.

Next steps: the town attorney will investigate procedural options and present findings to council for a future decision.