A little less than a week after a squabble on the Legislative Council over whether a Democrat or Republican would serve as vice-chairman on that board, the Board of Finance on Monday found itself stalemated over its choice of chairman.

Calling the December 11 meeting after roughly 20 minutes following a 3-3 deadlock along political lines, the board membership of six could not get a majority of votes for either Republican Steven Goodridge, who has served the previous two years as the Board of Finance’s vice-chairman, and Democrat Jim Gaston, who has previously served 14 years as either a chairman or vice-chairman on the board.

Democrat John Fletcher, following Gaston’s nomination, said he was the “best candidate,” noting Gaston’s extensive experience in past years on the finance board, as well as having served on the Board of Selectmen. He also noted that Gaston received the most votes of any finance board member in the recent election.

“He’d be a good leader for this board,” said Fletcher.

Unaffiliated member Barney Molloy, who caucused with the Republicans, said Goodridge would be an “excellent choice” since he was not only on the commission during the prior term, but was vice-chair.

“He’s current on all issues facing the board,” said Molloy. “He’ll make sure we get the most value from our tax dollars.”

Gaston noted that he was “also familiar” with current issues facing the board, and reiterated his 14 years serving as chair and vice-chair, as well as the fact that he received the most votes.

“I think the voters have spoken that they want Democratic leadership,” said Gaston.

Gaston also pointed towards a previous board he served on that had a 3-3 split, noting that he and Republican Jim Godin decided to split the chair/vice-chair positions with him doing the first year and Godin doing the second year as chair.

“It was an excellent working situation,” said Gaston.

Gaston also wanted to make sure to have a party split with chair and vice-chairman.

Goodridge noted that there is “nothing written” saying that the top vote getter should be the chairman, and noted that on the Legislative Council, Keith Alexander, who had the sixth-most votes, was chairman, and Jordana Bloom, the fourth top vote getter, was vice-chairman.

“The only office where the most votes gets the title is the first selectman,” said Goodridge.

Goodridge pointed toward a 2015 board where the Democrats were given chairmanship of the 3-3 split finance board since the Republicans had control of the other boards, and he felt since Democrats had the chairmanship of the council as well as the chairmanship of the Planning & Zoning Commission, that the chair of the BOF should be a Republican.

Unaffiliated member Bryce Chinault, who also caucused with the Republicans, said that the finance board was “an advisory board” and should “not be political.”

“Our main focus is to be good stop gaps, questioning things to make sure the residents get the most bang for their buck,” said Chinault.

Democrat Janette Lamoureaux said that both candidates were “situated to be chairman,” but she preferred Gaston.

“Maybe they can switch in a year,” said Lamoureaux. “I appreciated Steven may have more insight on immediate issues, but Jim has kept himself up-to-date.”

She said that it was “unfortunate” that the board’s first conversation with each other was a disagreement on chairmanship.

Molloy suggested tabling things to give the board time to “reflect and discuss.”

Gaston moved to adjourn.

“We can’t do anything until we have a chair,” said Gaston.

The Board of Finance has a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, December 28. The board will stay without leadership until at least then.

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Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.