Norwich — Former alderman and retired city blight officer Edward Martin submitted the only petition by Wednesday's filing deadline, securing the final Democratic spot on the November ballot without the need for a primary.

Martin, 62, retired July 1 after serving 10 years as the city blight officer. He announced at that time that he planned to run for City Council, but did not seek the party endorsement at the July Democratic Town Committee endorsement meeting.

Martin said Wednesday he was dealing with a family medical emergency at the time and did not know if it would be resolved to allow him to run.

Recent good news allowed him to file a petition for the sixth and final spot on the Democratic council ballot. Martin said he already has a campaign committee but plans to self-fund the campaign.

“I'm excited about it, and eager to get on it,” Martin said.

No other candidates filed petitions by Wednesday's deadline.

Martin served as a Democratic alderman for the East Side precinct for three consecutive terms, ending in 2001.

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