Fairfield RTC Nominates Kevin Kiley to Board of Selectmen

The Republican Town Committee on Monday nominated Board of Finance member Kevin Kiley to fill the seat on the Board of Selectmen .

Walsh, a local attorney, resigned from the Board of Selectman two weeks ago due to a potential conflict of interest when representing clients before the town's land-use boards.

Kiley, 54, has served on the Board of Finance since 1997. He also served on the Representative Town Meeting from 1993 to 1997. He reportedly won the RTC nomination over Board of Finance member Robert B. Bellitto Jr., who last November for first selectmen.

During a brief interview Tuesday morning, Kiley said he is looking forward to filling out the remaining three and a half years of . He said his interest in serving on the dates back to when there was a search to replace Selectman , who died in April of 2010. Walsh was appointed to fill Bowley's seat.

Kiley said he plans to resign from his post on the Board of Finance on Thursday, however he added that the Board of Selectmen must still vote on his appointment.

Interestingly, Walsh has been nominated to fill Kiley's seat on the Board of Finance — meaning providing the Board of Selectmen approves Kiley's nomination, the two men will be switching roles.

"The next Republican selectman will have big shoes to fill," Kiley said in his remarks to the RTC, which he shared with Patch via email. "Mr. Walsh has done an outstanding job representing our Republican values and protecting every citizen. Jim’s hard work and dedication serve as a model for the next Selectman, as well as a high bar to reach."

In asking for the RTC's nomination, Kiley asked that his fellow committee members consider his track record in political service.

"In 2004, when the administration wanted to award a bid waiver for a bus contract, I stood up and said 'no,'" he said. "Instead, we went to bid and saved about $400,000."

"When seniors needed help, I stood up in 1997 and demanded an upgrade to our senior tax relief program," he added. "Not only was the program improved and expanded, it now gets a mandatory review every two years."

"When the world economy crashed in 2008, I worked with the Board of Finance, trimmed spending and delivered the lowest tax increase in memory," he said.

"And when the Metro Train Station project went off the tracks, appointed me to chair the board of finance sub-committee — and last year I presented Fairfield with a professional, audited report that exposed the mismanagement of the project."

"The next Republican selectman will need to know when and how to stand up for our principles and when to reach across the aisle for agreement," Kiley said. "My public service record and reputation represent my ability to succeed in either case."

Kiley currently works as vice president of finance and administration for Fairfield-based Management Health Solutions.