NORTON - The planning board and selectmen stalemated Thursday night over two candidates for a planning vacancy - one of whom missed a June 12 application deadline set by the selectmen.

One of two candidates who met the deadline, South Washington Street resident Alec Rich III, received no votes to serve in the post until April 28, 2009, the first year of an open three-year term.

Instead, the four planning board members present voted for Reservoir Street resident Cheryll Senior. The four selectmen present voted for Barrows Street resident Thomas George.

Senior said after the 4-4 vote that she submitted her letter of interest earlier that day. She said she was unaware of the selectmen's application deadline.

The boards agreed to re-open the process to all, and to try again during the planning board's July 22 meeting. Selectman Stephen Gradie called the process "a sham."

"This should've never happened. This is a sham. The people watching this tonight (on cable TV) are saying, 'What the heck are they doing? Hello?'"

Selectmen Chairwoman Mary Steele said selectmen are responsible.

"The fact is that the board of selectmen made the deadline, not the planning board," Steele said. "If there was a mistake that was made tonight, it was ours."

The seat has been vacant since the April 29 annual town election. Incumbent Duane Knapp declined to seek re-election.

to another three-year term.