Narrowly defeated by five votes in last week’s election, Norm Justice, former chairman of Gorham’s town council, intends to be on hand Monday for the ballot inspection he requested.

Gorham Town Clerk Christina Silberman said the inspection of ballots and incoming voter list is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Monday. The inspection could be the first step of a recount and Justice would have five days after the inspection to file.

“I do suspect once I’ve done the inspection, within that five days I will ask for a recount,” he said Wednesday.

Matt Robinson, a former town councilor, edged Justice, 1,182-1,177, on Nov. 6 for one of the three council seats that were available.

Robinson said that he’d be represented by a lawyer, Bryan Dench, at the inspection.

“I don’t know all the laws,” Robinson said, “but 1,182 voted for me and I want to make sure they’re represented.”

Justice said he would be accompanied by his wife and a friend, an election warden from Scarborough.

Justice did not attend Tuesday’s meeting of the Gorham Town Council. Burleigh Loveitt, council vice chairman, opened the meeting and praised Justice and Robinson for their conduct during a “difficult” process.

“These two men have behaved as gentlemen,” Loveitt said.

Robinson spoke briefly from the public podium before leaving the meeting. Robinson said he should be sitting on the council, but respected Justice’s right to contest the election results.

“I look forward to serving you for the next three years,” said Robinson, thanking the voters for their support. “If the election holds, I’m ready to serve the people of Gorham.”

Silberman administered the oath of office to the other two winners, Phillip Csoros and Loveitt, during Tuesday’s town council meeting. Loveitt was elected 5-1 (Loveitt abstained) by the council as its chairman.

The swearing in of the third councilor is on hold with the pending inspection. On a motion of Town Councilor Brenda Caldwell, the council postponed electing a council vice chairman, appointing committees and accepting council rules for the year.

In a field of eight candidates seeking the three Gorham council terms, incumbent Phil Dugas was unseated. Loveitt complimented Dugas for many years of service to the community as an educator, former high school principal and town councilor. “He is held in high esteem,” Loveitt said.

Each of the eight town council candidates and their representatives can attend the election inspection Monday. But they will be allowed to view but not touch ballots.

The inspection had been scheduled for Nov. 13, but Silberman was notified by the Secretary of States Division of Elections that she couldn’t open the incoming voter list or the container of absentee ballot envelopes until the state’s recount deadline had passed.

Matthew Robinson is now officially at town councilor in Gorham.Cutline (Norm Justice)