Milford election recount determines School Committee chair keeps his seat by 2 votes
MILFORD — More than three weeks after a super-close town election, a recount in the School Committee race has determined that the chair will keep his seat.
The recount, which was conducted Wednesday morning at Town Hall, determined that School Committee Chair Christopher Wilson had earned 1,490 votes to challenger Gregory Allegrezza's 1,488. That gave Wilson the third and final available seat on the committee.
The two candidates' vote totals were identical to the most recently revised results posted by the town. The recounted totals for top two vote-getters in the School Committee race, incumbents Matthew Zachilli (1,877, down one) and Meghan Hornberger (1,618 votes, up three) changed slightly.
Earlier: Milford plans recount after just two votes separate School Committee candidates
Following the announcement of the results, Allegrezza publicly thanked town clerks for conducting the recount and congratulated Wilson on his win. The process took about three hours, with results announced just before noon.
Initial reports on April 2 had Allegrezza winning the seat
Allegrezza had requested the recount shortly after the annual town election on April 2, when an initial report had him edging Wilson for the third School Committee seat, 1,423-1,409.
But that initial report did not include hand-counted votes or write-ins from four precincts, according to Assistant Town Clerk Danielle Petrowski. Those votes were tabulated the next day, and resulted in Wilson leapfrogging past Allegrezza to win by 12 votes, 1,490-1,478. Then the final tally, as certified by the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, revealed an even narrower margin — Wilson over Allegrezza by just two, 1,490-1,488.
McIntyre a finalist: Milford's superintendent vies for same position in Leominster
Allegrezza secured the recount by gaining 10 or more signatures from each precinct, in accordance with state law.
Wilson was first elected to the School Committee in 2018 and won a second term three years later. He also sits on the Planning Board.
Results of any recounted election must be reported immediately to the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, even if there is no change in the tally. Rulings made by the Board of Registrars are binding and any appeal must be directed to the Superior Court in a civil action.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Milford election recount determines School Board chair keeps his seat