Norwich — Former Republican mayor, alderman and legislator Peter Nystrom announced plans Tuesday to run for City Council.

Nystrom, who also serves as Republican Town Committee chairman, had said earlier this summer that he would not have time to run for council this fall, because he is in the process of renovating a new house and moving.

But on Tuesday, Nystrom said renovations are progressing faster than expected, and since two endorsed council candidates have had to withdraw, Nystrom will fill one of those ballot vacancies.

“I never really left as to my ties in the city,” Nystrom said. “We're moving, we're staying in Norwich. This is home.”

Nystrom served on the City Council from 1979 through 1984, and was elected to the state legislature as the 46th District state representative in 1984, a seat he held for 18 years.

He won a special election to fill a vacant City Council seat in 2009, and then was elected mayor in November 2009. He lost the mayoral race to current Democratic Mayor Deberey Hinchey in 2013.

Nystrom said he expects the Republican Town Committee to endorse his candidacy at its meeting Wednesday, and he also hopes to have a candidate to run for Board of Education. Endorsed candidate Norma Kornacki withdrew from the race.

c.bessette@theday.com

Twitter: @Bessettetheday