SACO — City officials discovered the vote taken Monday night to appoint a new city councilor for Ward 3 did not have enough votes to be valid.On Monday night, the City Council voted to appoint Tom Roughan as interim Ward 3 councilor to serve until November, filling the position vacated by Bette Brunswick, who has moved to Ward 4.

Four councilors were available to vote on the decision Monday night. Councilor David Precourt was absent Monday night, and Leslie Smith did not vote, as he was serving as Deputy Mayor, filling in for Don Pilon, who was also absent.

Roughan received three out of the four votes Monday night, and the meeting closed with the thought that he was going to fill the position of Ward 3 councilor.

City Clerk Michele Hughes said in a phone call late Tuesday morning that city officials discovered that, per city charter, the decision needed four votes to be binding.

“No action of the City Council except for adjournment, shall be binding or valid unless adopted by the affirmative vote of four or more members of the City Council,” states the charter.

Hughes said the City Council will vote again on July 13 on a Ward 3 councilor.

Roughan was one of four applicants for the position. The other three applicants are William Kany, Peter Yarborough and Todd Labonte.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].