Kent A. Peterson defeated four other candidates in a special election for a seat on the Yarmouth Town Council.

Peterson got 1,196 votes; Timothy E. Sanders won 963 votes; Sharon Kelley won 871; Kathleen Caron won 756 votes; and Dennis Welsh won 737.

Town elections are normally held in June, but because George E. Sullivan stepped down for personal reasons, a special election was held Tuesday to fill his seat.

Peterson, chief executive of Fluid Imaging Technologies Inc., said his management expertise can help with the town's proposed spending plans.

Caron, who has served on several committees, said she wanted to help the town. Kelley, a psychiatrist and Maine native, said she wanted to give back to her home state.

Sanders said he wanted to help with the town budget, and find new tax revenue. And Welsh, a photographer, wants to help the town grow small businesses.