West Stockbridge — After there was a tie in the Select Board race at town’s annual election, a special election for the seat will be scheduled.
At the election, which was held on Monday, May 8, incumbent and Select Board Chair Kathleen Keresey, and challenger Jon Piasecki, tied with 202 votes each.
According to Select Board member Andrew Potter, the town has been informed by the Secretary of State’s Office that, since the tie created a failure to elect, it prevents Keresey from taking the oath of office for a second term.
“She is no longer a member of the Select Board, it is now just me and [Andrew Krouss],” Potter said. “Both candidates can ask for a recount, and they have 10 days to do so.”
Potter said that, at the Select Board meeting on Wednesday, May 10, they will discuss the scheduling of a special election and a new nominating caucus.
“It does not have to be the same candidates,” Potter said.
According to state law, the next election cannot be held more than 64 days from the May 8 election.
There were a total of 406 voters who took part in the May 8 election.
Berkshire Edge writer Sheela Clary contributed reporting for this story.
