Incumbent Clerk Jan Uglis is seeking a recount for the Nov. 6 election results that showed Cindy Berry earned slightly more votes for the full-time position.

Berry, who along with new trustees Hank Anderson and David Joseph, was sworn in Friday at Municipal Offices, is expected to assume clerk responsibilities at 12:01 p.m. Tuesday, township Deputy Clerk Eric Wurmlinger said Monday. 

Uglis, who lost by 43 ballots, paid $400 to the township for the recount request. The process will cost the township a minimum of $3,000 and as much as $5,000. Results are expected as soon as early December, Wurmlinger said.

A recount request is rare for Chesterfield Township, with the last one taking place about 20 years ago, he said.

According to the Macomb County Elections Department, Berry received 9,532 votes while Uglis got 9,489. Berry will remain in office unless it's definitively determined by local and county canvases she didn't win the race.

Uglis could not immediately be reached for comment.

Berry said, "my opinion is she certainly is entitled to ask for a recount. ... I have no problems with that." 

She did, however, mention taxpayers will have to foot the recount price, with the exception of what Uglis paid. And, in a race this size, Berry is positive the results were correct.

"As far as recounts are concerned, it may as well be a landslide," she said, adding an error that would change the outcome is "virtually impossible."

Berry said she would not attend Monday night's Board of Trustees meeting—the last board meeting during Uglis' current term—out of respect for her.

Other, returning elected officials were scheduled to be sworn in during the meeting.

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