SEARSPORT - Tallies from municipal elections held Tuesday showed Meredith Ares besting Travis Otis in a race for a vacant seat on the town's select board, but only by two votes. A recount held Thursday upheld the initial results but narrowed the margin of victory to a single vote. The final count: Ares 155, Otis 154.

The close contest was for a seat on the five-member board vacated by two-term selectman Roland LaReau, who did not seek re-election.

"They both agreed to it," said Searsport Deputy Clerk Harriet Clark Friday morning.

Regional School Unit 20 board member Percy King was re-elected in an uncontested race. Voters also picked members of the budget committee. Full results here. 

Other municipal business will be taken up this Saturday, March 9 at the annual town meeting, starting at 9 a.m. at Searsport District High School.

This year's town meeting warrant lacks any political lightning rods comparable last year's moratorium vote on the DCP Midstream propane terminal development, but there are several big ticket items on the docket.

Residents will be asked to sign off on up to $762,000 for construction of a new North Station firehouse on Mt. Ephraim Road. Of the total projected cost, $400,000 would come from money drawn down from the Maine State Retirement Fund in 2012. The balance would be borrowed.

A separate question asks for approval to spend $300,000, also drawn down from the Maine State Retirement Fund in 2012, as a match for a state Small Harbor Improvement Program (SHIP) grant. The appropriation would hinge on winning the grant in 2013.

View a copy of the full town report and town meeting warrant here.

Ethan Andrews can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com