HARTFORD – Former Selectman David Bowen swept the polls at a special election Tuesday, his name being the only one to appear on the ballot.
“There were a total of 43 votes that were cast,” Moderator Terry Hayes said at a town meeting that followed the close of the polls. Of the votes, 38 were cast in Bowen’s favor, she said. Three were cast for various write-in candidates and the others were blank.
Bowen was not sworn in after the votes were counted, as expected by some. Town Clerk Lianne Bedard said she thought Bowen was to show up for the meeting at 7 p.m. in the town hall. However, Selectman Lee Holman said Bowen had contacted her and said he had to be out of town on business.
He will be sworn in “as soon as possible, and previous to this next selectmen’s meeting,” Holman said.
The Hartford Board of Selectmen is expected to have a full membership present for its next meeting Thursday. This will be the first time three members have served on the board since the March 3 resignation of Scott Swain. Swain’s resignation was followed by that of Laura Marston on May 27. The candidate who won an election to fill Swain’s seat, Rick Downing, declined to fill the post due to problems at the polls.
Holman, Hope McCabe and Bowen now make up the full board.
While 43 voters showed at the polls Tuesday, only about 25 returned to the town hall for the special town meeting. They agreed to:
• Appropriate $500 from the fund balance for general assistance.
• Reopen and reverse a discontinuance on sections of Swan Pond Road.
• Pay for health insurance, dental insurance, holidays and sick leave for the town clerk.
• And give $5,646 to the Hartford Youth Sports program.
Holman explained that the town always has provided benefits for the town clerk, but since the position this year went from being appointed to elected, now the voters have to authorize payment.
The selectmen will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the town office. As of Tuesday the agenda included discussion on Town Farm Road improvements, the possibility of hiring a new auditor, and the sand and salt shed. Reports from the road commissioner, code enforcement officer and animal control officer also are expected.
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