Groton — Rich Moravsik, the only holdover from the previous Town Council prior to last November’s election, has resigned his Council seat, effective this past Monday.

Mayor Patrice Granatosky announced his resignation at the Town Council Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday.

Reached by phone Wednesday evening, Moravsik, 73, said he is resigning because he is moving to Florida in mid-June to be closer to family.

“I enjoyed working and serving the town, and I think they have a good town manager, who’s on the ball,” Moravsik said, referring to John Burt.

Moravsik, a Democrat, was first elected to the Town Council in 2013 but lost his bid for re-election in 2015. Shortly thereafter, he was selected to fill the seat of Joseph de la Cruz, who resigned after being elected to the state House of Representatives.

Moravsik was then the only Democrat on the Town Council, which is now all Democrats.

He said his proudest accomplishment while serving on the council was bringing to light complaints about the Groton Ambulance Association in 2015.

Moravsik, who is retired from the U.S. Navy and from project management at Arabian American Oil Co., also is on the board of directors for the Southeast Area Transit District. He previously served as public works director in Groton Long Point for six years, and he has volunteered for the Knights of Columbus.

Granatosky said the Town Council has some people in mind to fill Moravsik’s vacancy on the Town Council but declined to offer names yet.

“Generally we look at other people who have talked about running or have run before,” said Groton Democratic Town Committee Chairman Conrad Heede, also a member of the Town Council. He added, “We prefer people who have been elected, in some position, because we want to make sure they have public support.” 

He said the Town Council will vote on a replacement “as soon as possible.”

e.moser@theday.com