12/22/1976 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - December 22, 1976 4 CONSIDERATION OF MANNER BY WHICH COUNCIL VACANCY SHOULD BE FILLED: (Cont'd a new budget would be coming before Council and the sooner the vacancy was filled, the sooner the individual would become familiar with the fiscal responsibilities of the Town. She recalled the precedent set by the appointment of former Council Member Corbett to replace Councilman Aiken several years previously, and also reminded Council that the appointment or Election would be to fill the unexpired term of former Councilman Grabowski to March, 1978 only. Councilman Brown agreed with the points raised by Councilwoman Hillestad, feeling that a Special Election would be a considerable expense, and the March 8th election deadline dates unfair to possible candidates. He also agreed that Council should fill the vacancy by appointment. Speaking from the Floor: Mr. George Seidman, Diane Dr: :Agreed that Council should fill vacancy by appointment. Mr. J. Couperous, Page Mill Road: In favor of calling Special Election. Mr. L. Giller, Vinedo Lane: In favor of calling Special Election Mr. Oscar Sobel, Christopher's Ln.: In favor of appointment by Council. Mrs. Alma Wood, Stonebrook Dr.: Requested information on procedure if Council chose to fill the vacancy by appointment. I. Goldsmith, Elena Road: In favor of appointment by Council. Mayor Cheney noted that, if a Special Election were called, the May 31st date seemed the closest election date which could be chosen to give any candidates the time necessary for filing purposes, and thus, it would be June before the new Council Member were seated. He recalled that he had been elected to fill an unexpired term and had to refile and campaign again the year following, and sympathized with anyone who would have to go through the same procedure. He stated that he had talked with many residents, and the feeling had been that they trusted Council to fill the vacancy by appointment, and stating that, if they were unhappy with the selection, they would have the opportunity in 1978 of not re-electing that person. Councilman Proft said that he had thought it might be possible to call for the Special Election in March; however, on further reflection, he, too, felt that this was a very short period of time for candidates, and would not be fair. Because of this, he supported Council's feeling that the vacancy be filled by appointment. Councilwoman Hillestad moved, seconded by Councilman Brown, to fill the vacancy on the City Council created by the resignation of Stanley W. Grabowski by appointment. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. In response to Council, City Manager Robert Crowe noted that Council had until January 13th to appoint a candidate to the Council, that being the thirty -day limit allowed by law for filling the vacancy in this manner. 441- After After discussion regarding this time frame, Councilman Brown moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hillestad, and unanimously carried, to make the Council appointment at the Regular Council Meeting of January 5, 1977. -2-