Shutesbury library vote a tie again

SHUTESBURY, Mass. (AP) - It turns out a vote in the town of Shutesbury on whether to approve a $3.5 million library is a tie after all.

The initial tally after the Jan. 10 referendum was a 522-522 deadlock. But after a provisional ballot was ruled valid, library supporters celebrated a 523-522 victory.

That changed Wednesday when a recount confirmed the original numbers. A tie means the measure fails, because a majority is needed to pass it.

The vote was on whether to approve $1.4 million in borrowing for the town of 1,800 on top of a $2.1 million state grant.

The dispute is not over. Library supporters say they will challenge the count in court.

They say the town's century-old library is too small and lacks basic amenities, including modern plumbing.

Opponents say it's too costly.