Groton — A day after businesswoman Gretchen Chipperini obtained enough signatures to appear on the November ballot as a Republican candidate for Town Council, the town Republican Party issued a statement saying it would not have endorsed her.

"The Groton Republican Town Committee was never approached to endorse Gretchen Chipperini for a Town Council candidacy and, if approached, we would not have endorsed her," the statement said. "Gretchen's past actions and harmful disregard for her community should disqualify her in any voter's mind from serving on the Town Council."

Chipperini's house at 23 Library St. burned on July 25, 2008. Former probationary firefighter William Celtruda was later sentenced to 14 years in prison after he confessed to setting three fires in Mystic, including the one that destroyed her house.

Neighbors had complained for many years before the fire about unfinished renovations at the house. After the fire, the town ordered the Chipperinis to demolish it for safety reasons, and ultimately took Chipperini to court to enforce the order. The house was torn down in 2011.

Chipperini said Thursday the Republican comments regarding her candidacy were "totally expected."

She said she was caring for sick family members at the time of the renovations, she had to make painful decisions about how to spend money, and the fire at her house was a personal tragedy.

Someone is serving jail time for it, yet he is not mentioned while she is vilified, she said.

She said the candidates should be talking about issues facing Groton now.

"They're not paying any attention to the people. The regular residents of our town, they care about the future. That's what's relevant," she said. "Not a house that burned down (almost) 10 years ago. We have people who need help now."

The statement by the Republican Town Committee said Chipperini held "her own best interest above that of the townspeople."

"For decades in Mystic, she seemed to delight in harming her neighbors," the statement said. "We strongly disavow any connection between Ms. Chipperini and the slate of Republican candidates running in this year's municipal elections."

Chipperini said she doesn't need the party's endorsement.

"I have done nothing wrong equivalent to what government has done to its citizens, who are struggling immensely, who I am extremely sympathetic to," she said. "I had people in tears in front me crying."

d.straszheim@theday.com

Twitter: @DStraszheim