North Stonington Republicans endorse Shawn Murphy for first selectman
North Stonington — More than 100 people showed up at the Republican Town Committee nominating caucus Tuesday night, eager to endorse the person who could become the first new first selectman since 1997.
After much discussion, Shawn Murphy edged out Selectman Bob Testa in a 62-51 vote.
Murphy, who has experience on the finance, education and selectmen boards, was First Selectman Nick Mullane's running mate in the 2007, 2009 and 2011 elections.
Mullane, who has had his position almost continuously since 1983, said last week that he will seek a regular selectman position in the coming election.
Unopposed, Mullane received the party endorsement to do so Tuesday night.
Testa, who is the chairman of the RTC, said he'll run as a petitioning candidate in the fall, as he did in the 2007, 2011 and 2013 elections. He said he doesn't want to force a primary.
Tim Main II, fire chief at Pfizer and currently a member of the Board of Finance, said Wednesday he intends to run independently as Testa's running mate.
"I'd like to see some changes," said Main, who spent about 13 years as the North Stonington Volunteer Fire Company fire chief. "There's a lot to be looked at — why do we do things day in and day out? Do we do everything just because we've always done it that way? Or do we take a look at things and update the process?"
Main's decision freed up one spot on the Board of Finance. When current finance board Chairman Dan Spring didn't receive a nomination to run in the coming election, that opened another.
On July 15, the Board of Finance approved a resolution asking Spring to resign by a vote of 4-2.
The board, according to the resolution, had "lost confidence and trust in (Spring's) ability to lead and willingness to truly represent them."
Spring had an unusual path to the chairmanship. Just a month after losing an election to the board in November 2013, Spring was appointed to fill a vacancy created when recently re-elected Brent Woodward resigned. Spring was voted chairman just 14 days after that, at the board's Dec. 18, 2013, meeting.
Spring could not be reached for comment.
Endorsed to run for Board of Finance were Tim Pelland, co-chair of the Affordable Housing Committee, and Carolyn Howell, whom Testa described as someone who "wanted to step forward and get involved."
If elected, Pelland would serve a six-year full term, while Howell would finish up the four years remaining in Spring's term.
Additionally, former Board of Education member Chris Hundt was endorsed for an alternate position for the Board of Finance, a new position created by a recent ordinance.
For the Board of Education, the caucus endorsed incumbents Alex Karpinski and Phil Mendolia.
Others endorsed include Brett Mastroianni, Dugan Tillman-Brown and George Tattersall for the Economic Development Commission; Ann Brown, Wayne Wilkinson and Priscilla Lewis for Planning and Zoning; Candy Palmer for the Board of Assessment Appeals; and Gary Thompson and Amy Kimball for Zoning Board of Appeals alternates.
l.boyle@theday.com
Twitter: @LindsayABoyle
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