But the board of election commissioners could not declare Galluccio the winner because 19 ballots were missing. After a painstaking search, it was discovered that the ballots had been placed in the wrong pile.

Still, one councillor remained unconvinced.

"The computers--I just don't see how that could replicate the experience of the count at the Longfellow" school, said Timothy J. Toomey Jr. "There are some things too sacred to sacrifice. I will be voting against the measure."

The expenditure was passed, 8-1.

In addition to forming the subcommittee on computerization, the four-member board of election commissioners is gearing up for the fall elections under Spears, its new chair.

The other commissioners voted Spears chair following the retirement of Edward J. Samp Jr. from the commission. A Republican and the first Black election commissioner in Cambridge, she has served on the commission for 14 years.

Samp's spot was filled by another fellow Republican, Wayne A. "Rusty" Drugan Jr., in April. The city manager appoints the election commissioners, two from each political party.