RUTLAND CENTER — The upcoming election could shift or neutralize the effective majority on the Town Council.

On Sept. 9, Republicans Colleen J. Woolley, the incumbent candidate who was appointed to the council in January, and Kenneth E. Gleason Jr., the town's fire commissioner, will vie for a crucial position on the council. But, the contest won't be over after the primaries. Ms. Woolley also has secured the Conservative line and will appear on the ballot regardless of the primary's outcome.

It is apparent there is a 3-2 majority within the council, which Ms. Woolley is a part of along with Councilmen Michael C. Gillette and Douglas A. Main.

"I think it's going to have a lasting effect well beyond a one-year term. The effect could conceivably last for years," Mr. Gillette said. "It could shift the balance of power to Gary, Ray and Ken, and Doug has to run again next year."

Town Supervisor Gary D. Eddy and Councilman Raymond P. Cramer, who sees himself as a neutral party in the recent power struggles, have given their support to Mr. Gleason. Both described Mr. Gleason as "level-headed."

"The primary importance is to restore the integrity, sound decision making and respect back to the township. I would support any person that is capable of doing that," Mr. Eddy said. "This type of stonewalling and posturing that's going on today ... isn't conducive to good management techniques."

Mr. Gleason said he was asked to run in the election and hopes to put a stop to the fighting among council members.

"People have been asking me in the past to run. Now I'll see if I can help the members of the board and town out," Mr. Gleason said.

Nobody would say who approached Mr. Gleason, but Mr. Gillette speculated it could've been members of the Eddy family.

Mr. Eddy said he was not involved in the decision.

"I know a group of people are concerned with the outcome of the town. They thought Kenny would be a good candidate," he said.

Mr. Gillette disagrees, and stated in a letter to the editor that appeared in the Aug. 16 issue of the Times that "a fire commissioner is the last person we need on the Rutland town board."

The councilman is concerned that if Mr. Gleason is elected, the unpopular proposal to raise taxes to build a new fire hall would resurface.

"I don't think you can keep the two separate," Mr. Gillette said about the fire district and Town Council.

Mr. Cramer said the fire district and Town Council are completely separate entities and he can't see how the town could have influence over the fire district's tax rate or vice versa. He is more concerned about decisions Ms. Woolley has made, such as voting to hold payments to King's Quarry, Rodman, and Suit-Kote Corp. for costs associated with paving projects until the September meeting.

Mr. Gleason has no experience in town government, but said managing budgets as a self-employed businessman and member of the Board of Fire Commissioners qualifies him to help solve the town's budget problems if elected.

He owns Gleason Septic, Gleason's Gate II Motel and a mobile home park.

Mr. Eddy said Mr. Gleason has done an "excellent" job as fire commissioner. Mr. Gillette argued that the fire district's budget has consistently been increasing and that may carry over to the town if Mr. Gleason wins.

Ms. Woolley has served on the Town Council and Planning Board, and as clerk to the supervisor during Neil F. Parks's term. She was appointed to the Town Council in February 2005 after John E. Scott was appointed town supervisor, leaving a vacant seat on the council, but then did not win the election.

Ms. Woolley is also the manager at Pioneer Services, Evans Mills, a bank that serves members of the military, and raises sheep with business partner Harold A. Boomhower Jr., a former town highway superintendent.

The incumbent candidate said her financial expertise will allow her to make sure the budget is upheld over the next year.

"I know the budget and I know how the town operates. My whole background is in finances and I know the budget inside and out," she said. "We need to do whatever it takes to stay in that budget."