After having just five members throughout the budget season, the Board of Finance (BOF) is now back to full strength with six members. On July 19, the board voted to have Kate Gilstad-Hayden fill the vacancy caused by the early spring resignation of Democrat Ralph DePonte.

DePonte had been chosen by the BOF in early spring to fill the board vacancy made when Richard Westbrook resigned due to a move out of town. DePonte’s resignation had left the Board of Finance one short during most of the spring budget deliberations.

Democrat Chris Ehlert had sought throughout the spring to be considered for the opening on the BOF left by first, Westbrook’s resignation and second, DePonte’s resignation. The BOF however, declined to consider his appeal during the budget preparation and deliberation cycle in the spring, leaving the BOF at five members.

Openings on the BOF between elections are filled by a majority vote of the remaining board members.

Finally, in late May, Ehlert received the endorsement of the Democratic Town Committee (DTC) to fill the empty BOF slot. But by a June vote of the BOF, he was denied this opportunity.

In July, Gilstad-Hayden was then put forward as the next DTC-endorsed candidate to fill the BOF opening and on July 19, she was chosen by a majority vote of the BOF.

At the July 19 BOF meeting, Ehlert commented that he was disappointed that his own request for board membership was not accepted but that he fully supports Gilstad-Hayden’s appointment to the open BOF position.

After this appointment, the board is now at full strength with six members: Gilstad-Hayden, Chairman Paul Connelly, Tony Cozza, George Pytlik, Gary Gavigan, and John Leake.