Write-ins take over Fire District 2 prudential committee spots

Despite not appearing on the ballot, two new faces will be added to Fire District No. 2’s prudential committee.

The committee's annual election was held on April 25 and saw 198 residents cast their ballots — one of the highest turnouts in years, Chief Greg Edgcomb noted.

“There are normally like 15 people who come to vote,” he said.

Another way this election differed from previous years was this ballot consisted entirely of write-in votes.

While incumbent Bernard Giroux did run for another three-year term on the committee, he missed the filing deadline to appear on the ballot and had to run as a write-in candidate for his own seat.

He was beaten by Robert Bouley, the former president of the Dartmouth Youth Soccer Association. 

Bouley received 139 votes, while Giroux got 50.

Meanwhile, former firefighter William Coutu will fill out the remaining year on a seat vacated by Edgcomb late last year when he was appointed as the district's interim chief.

Cuotu beat his challenger, Cheryl Cieplik, 130 votes to 29.

About 10,000 residents live in District No. 2, which is sandwiched by Horseneck and Division roads on the west, and Russells Mills and Potomska roads on the east. The district extends to the Buzzards Bay coast on the southern end, and reaches about halfway up Chase and Lucy Little roads going north.