FAIRFIELD, Conn. Art Hug has gone from ousted incumbent to two-term Representative Town Meeting member in less than two weeks. The other four representatives for District 4 chose Hug over Al Menillo in the special tiebreaker Tuesday night.
In the initial count on Nov. 8, Menillo, a Democratic challenger, held a one-vote lead over Hug. The result would have ended Hugs two-year tenure on the legislative body. But in an automatic recount last Monday, Hug picked up a previously uncounted vote, leaving he and Menillo tied at 528 for the fifth and final seat on the RTM from District 4.
The town charter states that ties in RTM elections are to be be settled by a vote of the remaining members of the District. In this case, the voters for the special election were Democrat Heather Dean and Republicans Joseph Palmer, Joseph DeMartino and Amy Mezoff. The group voted immediately after their swearing in Monday night, and the result was 3-1 along party lines for Hug.
Hugs selection gives Republicans a 28-22 majority in the RTM. He and the rest of the officials begin their terms with their regular meeting on Nov. 28.
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