West Stockbridge Select Board Schedules July 17 Special Election After Tied Race

WEST STOCKBRIDGE -- May 10, 2023, West Stockbridge Select Board schedules a July 17 special election after a 202-202 tie leaves a board seat unfilled. Town counsel Lauren Goldberg of KP Law appeared by video at the May 10 meeting to explain that under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 50, Section 2, a tie constitutes a failure to elect, meaning incumbent Chair Andrew Krouss continues as a holdover under Chapter 41, Section 107 until a successor is elected and sworn. The board voted unanimously to set the special election date, contingent on the outcome of any recount petition, which must be filed by 5 p.m. on the tenth day after the May election. Challenger John Piasecki, who received 202 votes to Krouss's 202, interrupted the proceedings repeatedly and said his own attorney had submitted a letter contesting the holdover arrangement; Goldberg told him any such challenge would have to be brought in court. The board also unanimously approved the appointment of two new full-time police officers, Nathaniel Ceremonies and Jeff Spratt, and heard a briefing on a potential USDA Rural Development grant and loan program for water infrastructure with a target of being shovel-ready in 2024.