FARMINGTON — The referendum vote to approve a new emergency 911 dispatch center for Franklin County passed by just 27 votes based on preliminary returns Wednesday aftgern, a county official said.

The proposal passed 2,062 to 2,035, which was slightly adjusted from an earlier report after confirming figures from Perkins Plantation, according to Julie Magoon, county clerk. She noted the officials results will not be reported to county offices until Friday, saying the tight vote will not officially be called until then. 

And in the Republican primary race for sheriff, Scott Nichols Sr. defeated Tom White. Early Wednesady morning, he held a comfortable lead of 1,280 to 654, with 12 towns reporting. There are 17 towns and several unorganized territories in Franklin County. Although the official overall tally has not been filed, White on Wednesday morning said he conceded the race late last night.

Once the referendum officially passes, the county will take out a 15-year bond to pay for the new dispatch center. A $100,000 home will pay about $1 more per year to pay off the annual debt on the project, which is expected to be between $50,000 and $60,000 per year for the county.

In the Republican primary for Franklin County sheriff, Nichols and White were competing to take on incumbent Dennis Pike, who is unenrolled.

Nichols, 50, is police chief in Carrabassett Valley and lives in New Sharon. White, 60, is a detective with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and lives in Jay.

The $598,300 dispatch center, which shares space with the Franklin County sheriff’s department, has been the topic of lengthy debate over space shortages in county government offices.

Tuesday’s proposal to build a new dispatch center was the second attempt by county officials to address the issue. In 2010, voters rejected a $4.46 million plan to relocate most county offices and build a new dispatch center.

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