RTC Endorses Walsh as New Selectman - Barely

James Walsh, a lawyer and moderator of the Representative Town Meeting, was endorsed by the Republican Town Committee Tuesday night to be the town's new Republican selectman, though it looked like the RTC might not have a quorum before he was nominated.

The RTM's decision to carry over its review of the proposed 2010-11 town budget to Tuesday night created a conflict for about two dozen RTC members because they also serve on the RTM, and both meetings were scheduled at 8 p.m.

The RTC meeting was in Riverfield School, while the RTM meeting was in Osborn Hill School.

James Millington, the RTM's majority leader and a District 9 Republican, early Tuesday had asked RTM Republicans via e-mail to attend the RTC meeting for a quick vote to endorse Walsh before they reviewed and voted on the proposed 2010-11 town budget.

When Ann Roche, an assistant town clerk and RTC member, called the roll in Riverfield School, it looked like the required one-third of RTC members hadn't arrived. But more trickled in after the roll was called, and Roche said 30 or 31 RTC members ultimately attended Tuesday night's RTC meeting - six or seven more than the required number of 24 for a quorum.

Ed Bateson, a District 3 RTM member, nominated Walsh to be the RTC's choice to fill a vacancy on the Board of Selectmen that was created by the death of Republican Selectman Ralph A. Bowley on April 10. "Ralph's wish was that Jim continue on in his place. I couldn't agree more," Bateson said, adding that Walsh was a lifelong Fairfield resident and knew the town and issues facing the town.

No other nominations were put forward, and RTC Chairman James Baldwin asked Roche to cast a vote in unanimous support of Walsh to be the new Republican selectman.

Walsh, who was due to attend the RTM meeting, made brief remarks in which he thanked Republicans for coming to Riverfield School to support him. He said Bowley would be "a very hard act to follow," but he hoped to keep First Selectman Ken Flatto "honest, the way he [Bowley] always did."

The Board of Selectmen, which is now comprised of Flatto and Selectman Sherri Steeneck, must approve Walsh before he is officially a selectman. The Board of Selectmen is meeting at 4:30 p.m. today in Sullivan-Independence Hall to vote on whether Walsh will be the town's new Republican selectman.

Flatto previously said he would be happy to vote for Walsh if Walsh were the choice of the Republican Party.