Flatto To Leave Fairfield Post at End of April

It’s official: Fairfield First Selectman Kenneth Flatto will step down at the end of April to take a job in Gov. Dannel Malloy’s administration. Flatto will serve as the state’s executive director of the Division of Special Revenue. He told reporters and town department heads Tuesday that the decision was difficult, but that he wanted to tackle a job with new challenges.

“Being first selectman … there would have been very few surprises. I really know the job well. I knew what I would be getting into getting reelected again,” Flatto said. “I believe I really have mastered the job of first selectman.”

Flatto has served on the Board of Selectman since 1995. He first took the town’s top job in 1997, but lost his seat two years later to John Metsopolous. He reclaimed the first selectman role in 2001, and has served in the position ever since.

When he steps down at the end of April, the three-member Board of Selectmen will be made up entirely of appointed, rather than elected officials. Sherri Steeneck, the board’s other Democrat, took office in 2008 after Denise Dougiello died of cancer. Republican James Walsh joined the board in last May, following the death of Selectman Ralph Bowley.

Steeneck will serve as interim First Selectman after Flatto’s departure. She and Walsh will then decide on a full-time replacement until the municipal elections in November, most likely one recommended by the town Democrats. If the two cannot make an agreement within 30 days of Flatto’s resignation, then by state law the town’s elected Democrats will elect a replacement themselves.

Steeneck has already said she will not hold onto the office beyond the decision process. She added that she will not even seek re-election as a selectman come November.

“I will take over when Ken leaves, and I’m happy to do that to the best of my abilities,” Steeneck said. “But I don’t have the time to continue that later on. I have too many family and business obligations.”

Flatto pledged to help his successor, whoever it is, “in any way, shape or form that I can.” He also said that he and his family will remain in Fairfield, even as his job takes him to Hartford. “We’re Fairfielders,” Flatto said. “We’ll be here in Fairfield for a while to come.”

Who do you think should take Flatto’s place as first selectman? Share your ideas in the comments below.

 

 

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