Unofficial results: Hearn wins town council seat

The results are not yet official, but it appears that former District 66 representative Joy Hearn has won a seat on the Barrington Town Council. 

According to unofficial results for the town council special election, Ms. Hearn received a little more than 77 percent of the vote. Former Barrington Recreation Department Director John Taylor received 74 votes as a write-in candidate. 

According to local officials, 352 people turned out to vote and another 32 individuals cast mail-in ballots. Ms. Hearn, a Democrat, received 296 votes. Mr. Taylor was the top vote-getter among the write-in candidates, followed by former town council member Stephen Primiano, who received four write-in votes. Two other write-in votes were left blank. 

Officials said there are more than 14,500 registered voters in Barrington.

Barrington Town Clerk Meredith DeSisto believes that given the conditions, the voter turnout was good. 

"I thought it was a very good turnout," she said. "We were pleased that we saved the town money and saved the staff additional time, since the town clerk’s office deals with the board of canvassers in addition to its other duties. It came down to one poll people could vote at. With our arrangements, I was very pleased with the number of people who voted."

According to Ms. DeSisto, the town council is planning to hold a special swearing-in ceremony for Ms. Hearn on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at a time and place to be determined. 

The results will not become official until the Barrington Board of Canvassers meets to formally certify the results on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 4 p.m.

The special election was held after former council member, Peter Dennehy resigned two years prematurely due to medical reasons.