MANSFIELD - Despite the pleas of the municipal electric director, the light commission voted 3-2 not to fill an engineering position that has been vacant for several months.

Gary Babin, the director of the Mansfield Municipal Electric Department, had been campaigning for several months to fill the position, which has been left vacant since a previous engineer resigned.

Commissioners Jess Aptowitz, Ann Baldwin and George Dentino voted against the hire, with Sandra Levine and Kevin Moran voting for it.

After the vote, Babin said he did not expect the board to support the hire, adding that he only raised the issue to bring the matter to their attention.

MATT KAKLEY can be reached at 508-236-0333. or at mkakley@thesunchronicle.com.