East Lyme — Democrats unanimously endorsed Steve Carpenteri for first selectman at Tuesday's Democratic Town Committee caucus.

Carpenteri, the owner of the Lyme Tavern Restaurant and Sports Bar and Rocky Neck Inn and Suites, is a member of the Board of Finance. He has also been a member of the Planning Commission and the Zoning Commission.

Democrats also endorsed William Henderson, Daniel Cunningham and incumbent Rose Ann Hardy for the Board of Selectmen. Henderson is the president of the Communications Workers of America Local 1298, and Cunningham is a Niantic attorney.

Jeff Langan, John Manning and Rosanna Carabelas also received nominations for the board, but Hardy, Henderson and Cunningham won the endorsements after receiving the most votes during a paper ballot.  

Selectman Robert Wilson, who received praise for his service to the town from several members during their speeches, said he will retire from the Board of Selectmen after his current term.

Wilson said he plans to concentrate on other pursuits, including acting as president of a group for football officials, and also wants to have fewer nights out at meetings at this point. 

"I'm looking forward to a new chapter," he said.

The slate of candidates endorsed Tuesday included Barbara Senges, Jill Carini and William Derry for the Board of Education; Lisa Picarazzi, Peter DeRosa and John Arnold for the Board of Finance; and Susan Graham and Anne Thurlow for the Board of Assessment Appeals.

For the Zoning Commission, Terence P. Donovan, Matthew Kane and Alvin Sher were endorsed for four-year terms, William Dwyer was endorsed for a two-year term and John Manning was endorsed as an alternate.

Democrats supported Francine Schwartz, Peter Lynch and Brenda Henderson as regular members of the Planning Commission and Anthony Arias as an alternate.

At the end of the caucus, Carpenteri said he was pleased with the turnout — about 30 people attended — and said the Democrats have a "great team" for the November elections.

The Republican Town Committee will hold its caucus at 7:30 p.m. July 27 at the East Lyme Senior Center.

First Selectman Mark Nickerson, a Republican, announced his candidacy for first selectman last week.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich