A Tiverton town councilor has died. Here’s what the charter says about filling that seat.

TIVERTON – Town Council on Tuesday held a moment of silence and had words of praise for the late Councilor Joseph “Joe” Perry, who died Sept. 16 at 73.

Perry, who was also a former town firefighter and a founding member of the town’s youth recreational basketball league, died while still serving his term in office. Perry had been serving on the council for the last seven years.

Town Administrator Chris Cotta said via email on Tuesday the town’s solicitor is looking into the proper procedure for replacing Perry’s vacancy. Cotta said he believes the topic will be on the agenda at the Oct. 10 Town Council meeting.

“We think the local town charter provides that a council vacancy is filled by advertising the position, an interview process and finally an appointment to the council as a whole when there are no remaining validated candidates remaining from the prior election,” Cotta said.

“The solicitor is reviewing other state election laws to ensure whatever process is used, it comports with the law.”

According to the town’s charter, if an elected official leaves office before the term expires, a losing candidate from the previous election – who was the next highest vote-getter – would be offered the position.

In the General Election last November, all seven city councilors ran unopposed. Perry received the second-highest number of votes in that election.

“The entire Tiverton Town Council, respective municipal agency director’s and town employees are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Joseph C. “Joe” Perry on September 16, 2023. Joe passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family,” according to the town’s website.

A Fall River native and a 1972 graduate of Tiverton High School, Perry was a Tiverton firefighter and cardiac emergency medical technician for 30 years. He also served in the United States National Guard.

Perry was a founding member of Tiverton Junior Youth Basketball League where he devoted 50 years, a member of the North Tiverton Volunteer Fire Department, Tiverton Recreation Commission, Tiverton Cemetery Commission, and a Knights of Columbus member, according to the town’s website.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Tiverton Town Councilor Joe Perry dies; vacant seat to be filled