Stonington — Unaffiliated Selectman Mike Spellman has announced he will not seek re-election this fall.

Spellman, a Groton City police officer who was appointed to serve out an unexpired term in December of 2014 and then was elected in 2015, said Tuesday that being a selectman is like having two full-time jobs along with his family responsibilities.

He added he will complete his term, as he came into the job with a commitment to serve the town.

Spellman said he made the decision not to seek re-election after “significant reflection and discussion with my wife and children.”

As for his political future, Spellman said he is not ruling out using the experience he has gained to someday run for first selectman. His late father, Jim, served 24 years as the town’s first selectman from 1961 to 1985 and was a legendary political figure in town and the man Democrats often turned to for advice.

“However, in the coming term, I may and likely will, seek other professional opportunities. As a result I do not feel it is fair to the public I seek to serve, or proper, to seek an office and its term commitment, when other opportunities may be pursued. I always believe one should finish what one starts, and that public office is a public trust, and terms should always be fulfilled, and entered into with total commitment to do so,” Spellman wrote in the announcement of his decision.

“As a strong believer in the concept of term limits in public office, new ideas and philosophies are always good in government to serve the public and avoid complacency. The positions on the Board of Selectmen in Stonington are not ceremonial positions. They are positions of policy review and public advocacy,” he added.

He said Tuesday his early decision will give both the Democratic and Republican town committees ample time seek out candidates for the position. He said he was confident that the committees, headed by Democrat Scott Bates and Republican Bryan Bentz, respectively, would put forward qualified candidates.

Spellman praised his colleagues on the board, Democratic Selectwoman Kate Rotella and First Selectman Rob Simmons, who was his running mate in 2015. The trio have referred to themselves as a “tripartisan” board.

He said they took over at a time of problems in town government following the resignation of former First Selectman Ed Haberek and the appointment of George Crouse, who served out the remainder of his term.

“I think we restored the public trust,” Spellman said Tuesday. “This board set a tone of respectful debate and putting the town first. I’m confident that will continue forward.”

In his written statement, Spellman added that “It has been an honor to serve the people of Stonington. The past few years that I have served have been incredibly rewarding and much has been accomplished. The page has been turned from what was a difficult chapter in the proud history of the Town of Stonington. We are moving forward and scandal has been replaced by healthy debate and efforts to better the town.”

As for the remaining nine months of his term, Spellman, who Simmons refers to as the “gentleman from Pawcatuck” at board meetings, said he would work to modify zoning regulations designed to spur revitalization and investment in downtown Pawcatuck. He said he wants the village, along with neighboring downtown Westerly, which has undergone a successful revitalization in recent years, to serve as an attraction much like Mystic. Spellman recently led the effort to bring internet service to several downtown buildings, which in turn led to businesses deciding not to move and two building owners renovating vacant space for apartments.

j.wojtas@theday.com