Urgo will not seek reelection as North Stonington first selectman
North Stonington — First Selectman Mike Urgo has announced he will not seek a third term as first selectman.
Urgo, 44, also took the opportunity to urge other residents interested in serving the community to not only come forward to run for his position but the many others that will be available on town boards and commissions. He added his early announcement also was aimed at giving people time to come forward before the November election.
Urgo, an unaffiliated voter, said he has loved being first selectman and it's been an honor to do the job.
"But I'm a big believer in term limits. It's important to have new ideas, new blood," he said. "People respond to new leadership. I think it's a good thing to have new leadership."
Urgo said he is excited about how things are going in town and the great people who continue to serve the community.
"But we also will have some openings and we need to get some new people excited about stepping up," he said.
He said elected positions will be available in November not just on the Board of Selectmen, but the education and finance boards, Planning and Zoning Commission, Economic Development Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, and the town treasurer position. In addition, he said there are appointed positions such as the ones open on the Citizens Sustainability Committee.
Urgo said he understands some people have not been involved in politics before and may be intimidated to put their name on a ballot. He said he is happy to talk to any resident about serving on boards and commissions if they have questions.
"We need good people, people with the right intentions, with their hearts in the right place," he said. "We've got room for them."
Urgo, who chaired the School Modernization Committee and served on the Board of Finance before being elected first selectman, listed several accomplishments.
These included completing the long-discussed upgrades to the town's schools and the reopening of the long-closed Boombridge Road Bridge. He said he also was proud of the team of staff and volunteers who now serve the town, the way the town responded to last summer's call for racial justice and improving communications with residents through his weekly written newsletter and use of social media.
As for what he plans to do with his extra time come November, Urgo said he will continue to run his insurance business, the Urgo Agency, spend time with his family and maybe pursue a leadership position in a nonprofit group.
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