The recount this week confirmed Michael Crowley as Belmont’s new town moderator.
After the election on April 1, Crowley was declared the winner over Mark Paolillo by nine votes, 2,134-2,125. A few days later, Paolillo petitioned for a recount, which was held Thursday morning. It ended up expanding Crowley’s margin of victory by two votes, 2,136-2,125.
“I was deeply impressed by the organization of the recount by Ellen (O’Brien) Cushman, our Town Clerk, her staff, and her volunteers, as well as the Board of Registrars,” Crowley wrote in an email. “It was an impressive operation to witness, and we can all be grateful for the highest degree of professionalism that we saw with this recount.”
According to Cushman, two different ballots were found to be mismarked. But after reviewing the ballots during the recount, the voters’ intent in each case was clearly to vote for Crowley, Cushman said.
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She said the recount also confirmed the number of ballots cast in the race at 4,481.
The recount was triggered after Paolillo filed petitions from all eight precincts, with at least 10 certified signatures on each petition. Once certified, the recount went forward.
“I accept the results of the recount and thank the Town Clerk’s office for conducting an efficient and highly professional recount effort,” Paolillo wrote in an email. “I congratulate Mike Crowley on his election win and wish him the best in his new role as our town moderator.”
| Candidate | P1 | P2 | P3 | P4 | P5 | P6 | P7 | P8 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael F. Crowley | 286 | 239 | 232 | 228 | 243 | 338 | 231 | 339 | 2136 |
| Mark A. Paolillo | 293 | 393 | 259 | 127 | 198 | 399 | 195 | 261 | 2125 |
| Write-ins | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| Blank | 24 | 41 | 32 | 23 | 15 | 22 | 21 | 28 | 206 |
Crowley, who attended the Thursday morning recount, was sworn in earlier this month as moderator and began preparation for Town Meeting, which convenes on May 5.
“Of course, I also know that there were two good people in this race, and I think most people in Belmont know this. I do hope that Mark Paolillo will remain involved and continue to contribute to our community as so many people hope for and count on him to continue to do,” Crowley wrote.
The position was left open when longtime moderator Mike Widmer decided not to seek reelection.
