Although a majority of voters opposed a council vote that merged Gorham’s emergency dispatching services, the referendum fell 487 votes short Monday of the number required for a valid election.

Gorham voters cast 959 “yes” votes to 796 “no” votes, but the 1,758 vote total didn’t meet the required 2,245 votes for a valid referendum. The yes voters won in the three voting districts and central.

A yes vote was to overturn the Town Council’s decision to merge its dispatching with Cumberland County. The town’s charter requires 20 percent of registered voters to cast ballots for an election initiated by a citizens petition to be valid.

The Town Council approved a deal in August consolidating the town’s dispatching with that of Cumberland County. A citizens’ petition forced the referendum.

Burleigh Loveitt, chairman of the Town Council, and Steve Morin, who helped spearhead the citizens’ attempt to overturn the council’s decision, shook hands in town hall after the tally became official Monday night.

Loveitt congratulated the organizers for carrying out “an excellent democratic process” and the townspeople who spoke at the polls. “We’re all neighbors and friends, and we intend to work for the betterment of the community,” Loveitt said.

“I would be surprised if there is future business on this subject,” Loveitt said.

Morin said organizers of the citizens’ group that opposed consolidation were proud of everyone who gave so much to the effort. “We fought an uphill battle all the way. We respect the process and the voters,” Morin said. “We lose with grace and dignity.”

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