FAIRFIELD, Conn. Kevin Kiley is now the front-runner to replace James Walsh on the Fairfield Board of Selectmen. The Board of Finance member beat Robert Bellitto Jr. for the Fairfield Republican Town Committees nomination Monday night.
My goal as a member of the board of selectmen is to represent our town, to work hard and make a positive contribution to Fairfield, Kiley said.
Walsh resigned from the Board of Selectmen on June 14 after two years on the post. The move came two days after members of the towns Planning and Zoning Commission discussed if Walsh, as a selectman, could argue on behalf of an applicant before the zoning board in his professional career as an attorney.
The Republican Town Committee decided to move up its July meeting to Monday night to suggest a replacement. They chose Kiley over Bellitto by a 37-3 margin.
(Walsh) worked collegially with the board when it was necessary, but he also took on the fight when that was appropriate as well, without acting in a partisan way, said state Sen. John McKinney (R-Fairfield), who nominated Kiley. I think Kevin can bring that same mentality.
Kiley has been a member of the board of finance since 1997, and was its chairperson from the fall of 2003 to the fall of 2008. Prior to that, he served two terms on the representative town meeting. Professionally, Kiley is the vice president of Management Health Solutions Inc. in Fairfield.
Of his past work, Kiley said he was especially proud of his work on a few key subcommittees. When he first came to the board of finance in 1997, he said he worked to expand the towns senior tax relief program. He also chaired the boards subcommittee to look into the reasons behind the cost overruns at the Fairfield Metro station.
Looking forward, we must reform our government by reducing waste, creating efficiencies and implementing tighter financial controls, Kiley said Monday.
Though he received his partys backing Monday, Kiley still does not technically have the position. Remaining board of selectmen members Michael Tetreau and Cristin McCarthy Vahey, both Democrats, must agree for the appointment to be final. Their next meeting is Thursday afternoon.
If Kiley is voted in, the board of selectmen would also be responsible for appointing his replacement on the board of finance. The Republican Town Committee nominated Walsh to fill that spot by a unanimous vote Monday.
Having worked with the current board and past boards, I think I can hit the ground running, Walsh said after the vote. I look forward to continuing to do work for the town.
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