Priscilla Dunn braves the cool weather, holding a sign in support of Lee B. Dunn, who won a three-year seat on the Planning Board, defeating incumbent John Monk.

The Providence Journal / Steve Szydlowski

SEEKONK — Voters at yesterday’s annual town election stuck with incumbents Robert L. Richardson and Michael H. Brady in a three-way race for two seats on the Board of Selectmen.

The two, who ran as a team, were reelected to new three-year terms.

Richardson — the current board chairman and yesterday’s top vote-getter, with 1,012 votes — and Brady, with 955, edged out challenger Francis M. Cavaco, who was unsuccessful in his second bid for the selectmen. Cavaco netted 836 votes.

In the day’s other major vote, residents voted, 857 to 745, to strip the Town Charter of the in-town residency requirement for the town’s top jobs of town administrator, schools superintendent, police chief and fire chief. Voters last spring had rejected an identical measure, but the question was back on the ballot after approval of the initiative by voters at last November’s Town Meeting.

The Board of Selectmen and others this year have argued that the residency rule was archaic and barred potentially qualified individuals from working for the town. Officials had already waived the rule for out-of-towners Emile Chevrette, the schools superintendent, and Town Administrator Michael J. Carroll.

Voters yesterday also narrowly defeated an initiative to join the state’s Community Preservation Act program, which allows communities to levy a tax surcharge of up to 3 percent to support open space, historic preservation and affordable housing. The question failed by 50 votes.

About 18 percent, or 1,688, of the town’s eligible voters cast ballots in four polling places during the all-day election.

In other results, newcomer Lee B. Dunn bested incumbent John Monk for a three-year seat on the Planning Board. Incumbent David F. Viera and Sandra Foulkes, who both ran unopposed, were elected to five-year and two-year terms, respectively.

William A. Barker was elected to the School Committee in an uncontested race.

Incumbent David A. Pitassi defeated Arthur R. Foulkes for a three-year seat on the Board of Assessors, and Cheryl A. Faria and Deborah Bostian were elected to the Library Board of Trustees.

Also reelected yesterday were: William C. Sloyer to the Housing Authority; Janet Parker as town clerk; David Parker as town moderator; and Philip G. Campbell and Robert T. Fuller to the Board of Water Commissioners.

mwims@projo.com