Details on a special election to fill the Ward 4 Selectman set left empty by the death last week of Selectman John Bates are forthcoming, Mayor Quordiniah Lockley said Tuesday.
Lockley said he would have information at next week’s meeting proposing a date for a special election.
Bates died last Friday after being in a hospital for a month. He was 49.
“I do want to let the public know that our hearts are with the family of Selectman John Bates,” Lockley said. “We ask that you all will continue to pray for the family as they deal with this situation that they’re going through.”
Lockley’s remarks about the special election came toward the end of the work session.
“This is something that I don’t feel comfortable having to do, but it’s necessary,” he said.
Lockley said if a seat becomes vacant with less than one year remaining in the term, the board can appoint someone to fill the seat.
If there is more than one year remaining in the term, however, a special election must be held. The board began its four-year term in July.
Lockley said a resolution must be passed no more than 10 business days after the seat becomes vacant declaring the date of the special election.
“The law is very clear,” he said. “We have 10 days after the vacancy to come and pass a resolution (with a date for the special election). Then, after the resolution is passed, we have 45 days to have the election.”
Lockley said he and City Administrator David Myers were considering having the special election on the same day as the November general election, but decided against it.
“We thought maybe we could add it to the general election, but everybody that votes in Ward 4 doesn’t vote in the same place in the county,” Lockley said.
“Mr. Myers and I will be making a recommendation as to the date and everything, but it’s going to be on the agenda.”
Lockley said candidates can start qualifying the day after the board passes a resolution declaring a date for the special election.
He said he would be in contact with the Secretary of State’s Office to find out when the filing deadline would be.
