Groton — Two Republican town councilors are interested in becoming the next Groton Town mayor, and a third Republican councilor said he hasn't declined when asked if he'd take the seat, after the newly-elected Republican majority council is sworn in Dec. 1.

Councilors Bruce Flax and Harry Watson said they would like to serve as mayor. 

Republican Councilor Dean Antipas said in an email he has not said "no" when asked about the post.

The election of the next mayor would be made by all councilors, including Democrat Joe de la Cruz — the sole Democrat on the new council — after the swearing-in ceremony.

Flax said he has served on the council for seven years, understands the processes and wants to lead for a two-year term.

"I am interested in becoming mayor — feel it is my time," he said.

Watson said he’d also like the role.

“I was the top vote getter in all seven districts and overall. I’ve already been mayor,” said Watson, who's served on the council 25 years and as mayor for six. “I think I would be a good leader. I know the procedures, I’m fair. Being a mayor, you need to be able to balance discussion and be the face of the town. You're the figurehead that people go to, but you're also only one vote of nine people on the council."

Antipas, also Groton Republican Town Committee chairman, said the new council would want to establish a charter revision commission, fairly quickly, adding, "we are resolved to put that in motion at the first opportunity, likely starting with our Dec. 8 meeting."

The main focus of the council, as with every council, would be grappling with the town's finances, he wrote via email.

"Reimbursements and grants from the state are trending downward, forcing some hard decisions on us to avoid property tax increases to make up the shortfall," he wrote.

Flax said he heard voters say "loud and clear" they want to open Groton's charter, which defines the town's government structure among other matters.

"Many things could come of that; including nothing," Flax said of opening the charter.

Groton has a town council and Representative Town Meeting, which serve different roles in reviewing and approving the budget. The town does not hold a budget referendum requiring general voter approval.

Councilor-elect Bonnie Nault said the council would look at tax cuts and the charter.

“We have really difficult tasks ahead of us because of the cuts that are coming from the state, and we are hoping for ways to cut taxes,” she said.

In the terms of the charter, “We want it to be opened up and to study what the options are that are on the table,” she said.

The Republicans held a caucus on Nov. 11, and discussed town issues.

Councilor-elect Diane Marley-Barber said it would be difficult to choose a mayor, but she believes the new council will work well together.

"I like them all and I think they're all very strong, so it's going to be difficult to decide," she said. "We're a very cohesive bunch. We think along the same lines."

d.straszheim@theday.com

Twitter: @DStraszheim