Town GOP presents November candidates

CROMWELL » Republicans are going with a tested team in the 2017 municipal election — but with one significant change.

In selecting their candidates last week, the Republican Town Committee endorsed its chairman, Allan Spotts, for a seat on the council. But they did so at the expense of incumbent councilor Edward Wenners.

Spotts has served on the board of selectmen and/or the council four previous times — a single term in 2003-05 and then backto-back-to-back terms from 200915, according to information provided by Assistant Town Clerk Lori Caracoglia.

This is Wenners’ first term on the seven-member council. Wenners did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday requesting comment.

The three other incumbent Republican councilors were all renominated.

They are Frank Emanuele Jr., Richard R. Newton and Samantha Slade. Newton, who is deputy mayor,

is the dean of the council, having served on the Board of Selectmen and council for 34 years.

The committee also renominated Enzo Faienza, the town’s first — and so far — only mayor.

Longtime Board of Education member Julie Fitts Ritter was nominated for town clerk.

That position is currently held by Joan Ahlquist, a Democrat.

The current tax collector/collector of revenue is Douglas Sienna, a Republican. Sienna was also renominated.

In the past, it has not been unusual for the two parties to cross-endorse each other’s candidates for the collector and clerk’s positions. However, this year the Democrats have nominated Charles Epstein for collector and the Republicans are running Fitts Ritter for clerk.

Those races are being watched closely, because the proposed revised town charter is changing the method for selecting clerk and collector.

It the proposed charter is approved by residents in November, the clerk and collector’s positions will become appointed rather than elected.

Supporters of the proposed change say both positions are becoming more and more complicated and require trained professionals.

Gone are the days — as Newton said during deliberations on the proposed change — it could be left to someone with “a pretty lawn sign.” Under the proposed change, the two candidates elected to the respective positions will be appointed to the posts.

Three incumbent Board of Education members were also re-nominated: Chairman Michael Camilleri, Celina Kelleher and Jeffrey Matrullo.

To fill Fitts Ritter’s seat, the Republicans nominated Lindsey Merli.

Incumbent Board of Finance member Amanda Drew was re-nominated.

Spotts had been serving on the finance board. To fill the seat Spotts is vacating to run for the council, the GOP nominated Steven Wygonowski.

Rounding out the slate are incumbent Ken Rozich, renominated to the Planning and Zoning Commission; incumbents John Keithan and Mark Zampino for the Zoning Board of Appeals; and Roy J. Rowland and William Vincenzi Jr., for the Board of Assessment Appeals.

Reviewing the list of candidates, Spotts said, “We have an outstanding slate from top to bottom. I think (Enzo) has done an exceptional job in the nearly four years he has been mayor.”

“I’m not saying there aren’t roads that are still need to be repairs, but we’ve paved more roads in the last four years than at any time in the history of Cromwell,” Spotts continued.

‘We’ve been able to keep the budget increases at a minimum, which is significant given what’s happening with the state of Connecticut,” Spotts said.

As for himself and his situation, Spotts said, “I’m just happy to have been selected to try for another term on the Town Council.”

MIDDLETOWN PRESS FILE PHOTO