Stewart files for Saugus school board recount

SAUGUS – Former School Committee member Tom Stewart filed papers for a recount Friday, 10 days after Arthur Grabowski won the fifth seat on the Committee by just four votes.Grabowski was elected to his second term with 1,966 votes, while Stewart garnered 1,962 votes to just miss out on being re-elected.Stewart said he decided to request the recount the Thursday after the election, and after obtaining the required 10 signatures from all 10 precincts, handed in his papers this past Friday at 10 a.m., seven hours before the official deadline.?Four votes was just too close to not seek a recount,” said Stewart during a phone interview Friday evening. “I had been contacted by friends and family and a couple of strangers who said I should do it and that made me decide I should go forward with it.”Stewart said he hasn?t spoken to Grabowski about the recount, and said he?s only interested in making sure the results are correct.?For me it?s not about campaigning or anything like that,” said Stewart. “It?s just making sure the tally is an accurate tally of the vote that was cast.”Unofficial results had Grabowski ahead by six votes after the polls closed on election night, Nov. 8, but that was cut to four after results were certified the next day.The Board of Registrars will meet at Town Hall on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to certify the papers and, if they?re approved, a recount date will be set. Stewart said he was told it would most likely take place on Nov. 30.Grabowski found out about the recount at noon on Friday and said he?s still committed to his duties on the School Committee.?This is part of the democratic process that we fight and die for,” said Grabowski. “I?m still officially sworn in and functioning as a School Committee member. I was voted into it. Just because someone asked for a recount doesn?t mean you don?t function in your elected office.”Grabowski also won a seat on Town Meeting for precinct 8, but said he hasn?t given any thought to that yet and is not letting the recount be a distraction.While Grabowski was already sworn in as a School Committee member, Town Counsel John Vasapolli said Grabowski?s Town Meeting seat will remain open pending a recount.?In order to avoid a situation where he obviously can?t be sworn into both positions and, if there were to be a recount, and he were to lose the School Committee position, he wanted to protect his ability to serve on Town Meeting,” said Vasapolli. “If he loses, Mr. Grabowski would have the right be sworn in as a Town Meeting member.”If Grabowski survives the recount, Peter Vadala would be next in line for the Town Meeting seat.Stewart said he?ll be at Monday?s meeting at Town Hall, is looking forward to what happens next.?I?m just waiting to see where it goes,” said Stewart. “I can?t say I?m confident, but I?m hopeful. I just want to make sure it?s counted accurately. It?s just too close to stop.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected]. You can follow him on Twitter @MattTempesta.