BRISTOL — The Bristol selectboard will soon have five members again.
In a special election held on Tuesday to fill an open seat on the board, Ian Albinson defeated Eric Carter, 332–320.
“I am humbled by the support of Bristol’s voters and thank all those who have encouraged me this year,” Albinson told the Independent. “It’s an honor to be able to represent our community at this level, and I welcome citizens to engage me with their thoughts, questions or concerns.”
This was Albinson’s second selectboard race of the year. He ran against then-incumbent Ted Lylis for the same seat on Town Meeting Day in March, but lost by 11 votes, or 1.3%.
Tuesday he won by 12 votes, or 1.8%.
Now, as then, the race was close enough to qualify for a recount — should one be requested.
According to state statutes, any election margin less than 5% is eligible for recount, if requested within 10 days.
The Independent reached out to Carter for a comment and to find out if he plans to file a recount request by the Dec. 12 deadline, but Carter did not respond by press time.
Bristol Town Administrator Valerie Capels said that a recount was “not expected to be forthcoming.”
Albinson and Carter both declared their interest in the seat last September, after Lylis resigned suddenly and without explanation.
The selectboard had originally planned to appoint someone to the empty seat on Oct. 7, but they were so impressed with the six candidates who interviewed — including Albinson and Carter — that they decided to put the seat up for a town-wide vote.
Albinson is expected to sign his oath of office and join the selectboard sometime before its Dec. 16 meeting, Capels said.
The Independent reached out to selectboard chair Joel Bouvier for a comment but he did not respond in time for this story.
In a Front Porch Forum post on the eve of the election, Albinson thanked his supporters and pledged to remain engaged regardless of the outcome of the vote.
“Bristol has a long tradition of independent thought, community spirit and togetherness, and it’s nice to see this continue even during these polarized times.”
Reach Christopher Ross at [email protected].