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Date: 9/23/2020
SOUTHAMPTON – The William E. Norris School Committee had a failure to elect for one of its three-year seats during the Sept. 1 State Primary Election.
While candidate Katie Chilson stated her intention to withdraw from consideration, she did not do so in time to have her name removed from the ballot and ultimately won a seat.
In a four-candidate race for three positions, Chilson was the leading vote-getter with 1,023. Jon Lumbra received 865 while Allison Radon and Austin Rogers finished with 941 and 675, respectively.
Lumbra, who serves as chair of the committee, explained that in order to withdraw, an individual is required to send a written letter to the town clerk. Town Clerk Luci Dalton said she received the letter from Chilson on Aug 27, after the ballots had been ordered. Lumbra said if Dalton had got it a day before, Chilson’s name would have been removed in time.
“I spoke with Elections and our legal counsel who stated that the select board and local school committee would have to have a joint meeting to appoint the person who would fill the vacant seat,” Dalton said.
The select board and school committee ultimately appointed Rogers to hold the seat for one year or until the next municipal election in May 2021.