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Farmington budget committee deadlocks on appointment; application window closed
Summary
A 4–4 tie in a poll left the Budget Committee unable to fill one open seat April 28; the committee tabled the appointment to May 26 and voted 6–2 to close the application period. Chairman Tim Brown urged confirming that all applicants were notified before finalizing an appointment.
The Town of Farmington Budget Committee was unable to fill a vacant member seat at its April 28 meeting after a poll produced a 4–4 tie between Stephen Henry and Brittni Widdick, and members voted to table the decision until their May 26 meeting.
Vice Chairman Bob Morgan led a poll-style vote after the four applicants were invited to speak briefly. Committee members cast individual votes; Mr. Scruton read aloud the tally and the remote chair, Tim Brown, repeated his vote when audio problems arose. That process produced four votes for Henry and four for Widdick, and the committee then voted unanimously to postpone the appointment to the next meeting so the group could resolve the tie.
The tie prompted a separate motion from Chairman Tim Brown to close the application period and proceed at the next meeting with the two candidates who received the most votes; that motion passed 6–2. Brown said he wanted to be sure "we know that all 4 candidates were notified" before completing an appointment, arguing the Town Office should be checked to confirm notification procedures.
Candidates introduced themselves before the poll. Brittni Widdick, who described experience in payroll and nonprofit board service, told the committee she is "hyper aware of where the money in this town goes" and would bring that perspective to budget review. Stephen Henry said he previously served about 15 years on the Budget Committee, sits on the Planning Board and records School Board meetings; he said his experience would allow him to "hit the ground running." Felicia McCowan summarized local ties, prior Planning Board service and nonprofit involvement.
Committee members then agreed to table the selection. The roll-call vote to close applications and limit the next appointment discussion to the top vote-getters passed with Albert Mutascio, Dorinda Howard, Bob Morgan, Mary Barron, Fred Pitman and Tim Brown voting aye; John Scruton and John Deering voted nay.
The appointment will be reconsidered at the Budget Committee’s next regular meeting on May 26, 2026.
