MIDDLEBORO — Citing the potential cost of a special election, the Middleboro select board unanimously agreed at their July 10 meeting to keep their membership at four until the spring elections. 

With the recent resignation of Arthur Battistini, a vacancy opened up on the traditionally five-member board. Battistini left the board because he moved to Martha’s Vineyard for a job opportunity.

Hosting a special election could cost about $30,000, select board members said. 

That roughly translates to half the cost of an employee, select board member Brian Giovanoni said.

“There are so many places I can think of to spend $30,000,’’ he said.

A special election would likely be scheduled on or about Nov. 18, board members said. 

Questions were also raised about the practicality of having someone serve for only four members, starting in November until the elections on the first Saturday in April. 

Select board member Thomas White said keeping the seat open until April would give prospective candidates time to consider making a run.

“We’ve been doing quite well with the four of us,’’ he said.

Select board member Neil Rosenthal said that although “the optics are not the greatest,’’ he acknowledged that “$30,000 is a lot of money for four months.’’

The board was established with five members to avoid tie votes, Rosenthal said. With an even number of members, tie votes would be possible. “We need to work very hard to do this’’ through communication and compromise, he said.

Giovanoni noted that the School Committee, which he previously served on, has six voting members, also an even number. “This required us to work together to reach [a] consensus, which maybe isn’t a bad thing.’’

With Battistini’s position to be decided in the spring, there will be two available seats. Rosenthal is up for re-election.

Town resident Paul Provencher questioned whether a temporary reduction to four members made sense, particularly considering the “turmoil’’ among some board members in the past and the significant issues to be faced, including the MBTA housing requirements. 

“Four vs. five may not be a good thing,’’ he said.