BAR HARBOR – A new member of the Town Council, running as a write-in candidate, appears to have won by a one-vote margin, according to voting totals released by the town.

Vernon “Sandy” McFarland Jr. received 87 write-in votes while Michael Gurtler received 86 write-in votes. The difference means McFarland will get to serve as a town councilor and Gurtler will not. McFarland is expected to begin serving immediately.

James Riley Jr., also running as a write-in candidate, received 20 votes.

There were three three-year terms up for election on the seven-member panel, but the two incumbents, Ruth Eveland and Rob Jordan, were the only two people to get their names on the ballot. Councilor Ken Smith, appointed last year to fill the unexpired term of a councilor who abruptly resigned, did not seek re-election.

Eveland and Jordan easily were re-elected to the board with 664 and 620 votes respectively.

In the local school board race, incumbent Edward “Ned” Johnston was re-elected with 693 votes. Claire Sasner, running as a write-in candidate, was elected with 99 votes while Suzanne Taylor, also running as a write-in, fell short with just 43 votes.

Four proposed changes to the town’s land use zoning ordinance were handily approved with each proposal passing by several hundred votes.

The town’s previously approved elementary education budget also was overwhelmingly validated with Tuesday’s local ballot vote. The $4.73 million budget was supported by 855 votes and opposed by 134.

btrotter@bangordailynews.net

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