DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board has called a special election to fill its vacant seat left by former member Joseph Diver after delaying the decision on a citizen's petition.

 

Diver announced that he would be stepping down from his seat effective Oct. 1 during a meeting at the beginning of September. 

 

The board has been discussing whether to hold a special election since October but was hesitant because of cost, proximity to the presidential election, and confusion regarding state law procedures.  

 

The decision no longer became one the board could make following a citizen petition led by Robert Collins, which garnered 237 signatures from residents calling for a special election. The petition had 223 certified signatures. 

 

During a meeting at the beginning of November, board members delayed the decision to call a special election until the town confirmed that proper legal procedures were followed.

 

"I talked to our town lawyer and he said he was satisfied with everything in place, and we could go ahead and proceed with it. So, that made me satisfied," Chair Robert Bishop said. 

 

The special election to complete the last months of Diver's three-year term will take place on Monday, Feb. 3, at the Senior Center. Residents running for the vacant seat can pull papers at the town clerk's office between Tuesday, Nov.26, and Dec. 24.