Barnstable resident challenges close vote

BARNSTABLE, Mass. - A Barnstable resident is seeking a recount of a narrow vote this week that would change town government.

The charter ballot question passed by one vote Tuesday, 2,580 to 2,579.

The charter change will reduce the town council from 13 to 11 members starting in 2011, and allow voters to choose at-large councilors as well as district councilors. Now, all councilors are elected by district. It also increases the school committee from five to seven members.

Town Clerk Linda Hutchenrider tells the Cape Cod Times that Jeffrey Wilkinson of the town’s Centerville section is completing the paperwork to begin the recount process. He must collect 10 signatures from each of the town’s 13 precincts, including one notarized signature per precinct, by Nov. 13.