Vacant Town Meeting Seat Filled by District 7 Caucus-November 8, 1979

Cheryl P. Carter Wins Long-Delayed Write-In Tie After Seven-Month Stalemate in District 7

The District 7 town meeting delegation last night cleaned up the last piece of unfinished business from the April 2 town election. The long-delayed caucus at town hall broke a seven-month-old tie vote, electing Cheryl P. Carter of 446 Pleasant St. to a vacant town meeting seat.

She and Salvatore Trovato of 23 Lawndale Road each had received four votes as write-in candidates. An earlier summons to break the tie failed to muster a quorum—only six showed up Sept. 19, five shy of the required number. After that, the town clerk was under no obligation to try again until a delegation petition was filed. For a while last night, a quorum looked doubtful—the turnout was several short of 11 at the 7:30 convening time. James A. Barss Jr. was applauded with glee and relief when he walked in at 7:40 as the 11th member. Assistant Town Clerk Lola DiBerto explained the rules. William A. Balfour, elected caucus chairman, declared Mrs. Carter, the only nominee, the winner.

Mrs. Carter, the Balch School PTA president and a Norwood Co-Operative Bank teller, said she had solicited support by calling delegation members. Trovato was not present. The victory must taste a little stale since Mrs. Carter must run again in April to keep her seat. However, proudly holding her first political office, Mrs. Carter will join the District 7 delegation as a voting colleague at the special town meeting Dec. 3.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger