SWANSEA — A time and place for a recount has not been scheduled, but Board of Selectmen candidate Frank H. Kingsley officially made the request for one at the town clerk’s office late last week.

Kingsley and M. Scott Ventura were tied with 984 votes each after the April 9 election. They were vying for the seat vacated by Joseph “Butch” Senna, who didn’t seek reelection. A third candidate, Maureen R. Estes, finished third, with 649 votes.

No one could remember a previous tie in Swansea, but Kingsley said he “didn’t want to make history that way.”

“We’ll have to see what happens,” said Kingsley, who turned 65 days before the election. When asked how he felt about the tie, he answered, “Not too good. I wanted to win.”

Ventura could not be reached for comment yesterday.

To request a recount, Kingsley had to get 11 signatures from registered voters in each of Swansea’s five precincts. He brought the 55 signatures to the town clerk’s office Friday afternoon. Ventura has until Thursday to also file a petition, however local Republican Committee Chairman Neil K. LeBeau said he didn’t think it was necessary for both candidates to file.

Kingsley asked for a hand recount, which means each ballot cast will be analyzed. In all, 2,661, or 26 percent, of the town’s more than 10,200 voters, went to the polls. Kingsley plans to bring at least 10 counters to monitor the recount, as well as have a lawyer present.

If the results are the same after the recount, LeBeau said the town would need to hold a special election. The three previous candidates, including any new candidates, could run for the open seat. LeBeau said that might be why Estes had not taken down her campaign signs.

Kinglsey’s signs have an additional phrase on them, “Thank you. It’s a tie.”

In the meantime, LeBeau said, Senna will remain on the board until a winner is certified and sworn in.

apina@projo.com