Groton Town Council fills vacancy

Groton — By a 6-2 vote on Tuesday, the Town Council voted to appoint Edward Jacome to fill the council seat vacated by Aundre Bumgardner, who resigned Feb. 15 due to his new role as state representative.

Jacome then resigned his positions as Representative Town Meeting member and Groton City Clerk, Town Clerk Betsy Moukawsher swore him in, and he joined the council for its Committee of the Whole meeting.

Jacome, 27, said his priority now is making sure the council runs efficiently and effectively for the people of Groton. Asked about his interest in the position, he said he “thinks the town needs someone who’s capable and passionate and has experience.”

He was appointed city clerk last May to fill out the remainder of the term of former City Clerk Megan Peters, who resigned. Mayor Keith Hedrick said Tuesday the city will start a search for a new city clerk.

Jacome previously worked as assistant clerk for the legislature’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee and clerk at the Coast Guard Academy Child Development Center. He also worked on Bob Statchen’s state Senate campaign and volunteered for the state representative campaigns of Democrats Christine Conley and Joe de la Cruz. Jacome holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Norwich University.

Two other RTM members also expressed interest in the position, Emily Norman and Jill Rusk. Councilors Portia Bordelon and Scott Westervelt voted for Norman, while the remaining six voted for Jacome: Melinda Cassiere, Juliette Parker, Rachael Franco, Bruce Jones, David McBride and Mayor Juan Melendez.

Before the vote, Melendez said all candidates are well-qualified and he’d be happy to serve with any of them, and he encouraged those who didn’t get appointed to run for election in November.

Bordelon spoke in support of Norman, citing her ability to connect with others, her desire “to mend the fence with other councilors,” and interest in the environment. No other councilors spoke before the vote.

Jacome unsuccessfully ran for the town council in 2021. The Groton Democratic Town Committee endorsed him but not Bordelon, who petitioned for a primary. Jacome made it through the primary, but with nine Democrats and seven Republicans vying for nine seats in the general election, he was the 12th-highest vote-getter.

Melendez at the time called Jacome “the future of Groton” and told him Tuesday, “I’ve seen you over the past few years, basically being at every event, and just being a really active community servant.”