Woburn City Council Deadlocked On Haggerty's Replacement

WPBURN, MA -- City Council could not break a deadlock after 41 rounds of voting Wednesday to select a candidate to fill the seat that was vacated when Rich Haggerty resigned to start his new post as state representative. Ward 1 Alderman Joanne Campbell, Ward 2 Alderman Richard Gately, Ward 3 Alderman Mark Gaffney, and Ward 7 Alderman Lindsay Higgins backed former City Council President Bryan Melanson, while Alderman at-large Michael Concannon, Ward 5 Alderman Darlene Mercer-Bruen, Ward 6 Alderman Edward Tedesco, and City Council President Michael Anderson backed former Woburn Police Chief Robert Ferullo, who retired in November.

"I don't see anybody swaying," Gately said. "I don't know what to do, Mr. President."

The seat will remain vacant until Council's next meeting, when the debate will resume under unfinished business. None of the 11 other candidates who submitted applications to be considered for the post received votes during any of the 41 rounds of voting. The eventual winner will serve the remainder of Haggerty's term, which is up for reelection in November.

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).