Newport council opens appointment window, schedules special meeting and calls special election to fill vacant seat

At a special Newport City Council meeting, members discussed procedures to fill a vacant council seat after the clerk reported receipt of a petition with the 25 signatures required under the city charter. The petition initiates a special‑election process but the council may still appoint an interim member following a 10‑calendar‑day public posting of the vacancy and receipt of letters of interest.

Council member Andrew (speaker initiating motion) moved to declare a 10‑day notice period for vacancy applications so residents could submit letters of interest and resumes; the motion passed. The council set a special meeting at 6 p.m. on March 20 to review applicants and consider an appointment. Mayor Chase told applicants they should be present in person or by video at the March 20 meeting and said council had not yet decided whether deliberations would occur in open session or executive session.

The city clerk and treasurer explained statutory timelines for a petition‑triggered election and advised the earliest practical election date would be April 29 given petition deadlines; the council instead moved to call a special election for Tuesday, May 6, with petitions due March 31 to allow more time for candidates to gather signatures. Community speakers urged appointment to avoid delay and expense, while others supported the petition process and an election.

Procedural next steps: the city clerk will accept letters of interest and resumes for appointment during the 10‑day posting; the council will review them at the March 20 special meeting. Candidates who wish to run in the special election must submit petition signatures by March 31 as ordered by the council.