Incumbent Oak Bluffs select board member Gail Barmakian squeaked back into a fifth term in the town election Thursday, edging out challenger Dion Alley by just two votes in the tightest town select board race seen in recent memory.
On a day of three town elections, Jessica Miller was also elected to the select board in West Tisbury. And the housing bank question easily passed all three towns, giving another boost to the initiative that now appears likely to be headed to the state legislature as a home rule petition.
Friendly lineup of candidates in West Tisbury Thursday afternoon. Jessica Miller (center) won the race for select board.
— Albert O. Fischer
The count in the Oak Bluffs select board race was 505-503 according to unofficial results just after the polls closed. Town clerk Colleen Morris scrambled to count the write-in votes, but after that count there was no change.
A third candidate, Jim Bishop, had dropped out of the race two days prior and thrown his support to Mr. Alley. Mr. Bishop, whose name was still on the ballot, got 49 votes.
Mr. Alley said he would seek a recount.
“Give it a shot,” he said, but he was also gracious in defeat.
“We can disagree but what we can all agree on is that we’re on this Island,” Mr. Alley said. “I’ll continue to serve . . . and support the town however they may need me in the future. It’s very humbling that so many people in the town voted for me.”
Ms. Barmakian was equally gracious.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity of being able to serve another term,” she said. “Dion did a great job.”
Both candidates were at the polls campaigning cheerfully side by side throughout the day.
Total turnout was 1,091, 26 per cent of the registered voters. Ms. Morris said the day went smoothly.
In West Tisbury Ms. Miller easily won a three-way race for a one-year select board seat over Christopher Lyons and James Klingensmith. Ms. Miller had 601 votes, while Mr. Lyons got 196 and Mr. Klingensmith 55.
“I feel happy and I’m glad the campaigning is over,” Ms. Miller told the Gazette after the results were in. “I’m ready to serve my town,” she said, noting that she had been inspired by her friendship and discussions with the late Kent Healy, whose seat she will fill.
The housing bank question sailed through, passing in Edgartown 473-193, while in Oak Bluffs it passed 775-285, and in West Tisbury the count was 683-55.
Housing bank coalition coordinator Laura Silber hailed the results. “We’re incredibly grateful to the voters . . . for supporting this so vigorously,” she told the Gazette by phone.
Turnout was light in Edgartown where there were no contested races, with 674 voters casting ballots, a 16 per cent turnout.
In West Tisbury total turnout was 886, according to unofficial results. Town clerk Tara Whiting said voting was steady all day.
“It has been very smooth,” said poll volunteer Dinny Montrowl.
“I didn’t even have time to eat my pizza,” said volunteer Evan Fielder, Ms. Montrowl’s brother.
Aidan Pollard reported from Oak Bluffs; Bill Eville reported from West Tisbury and Zach Harris reported from Edgartown.
