29 Members Of Westports RTM Seeking Re-election

WESTPORT, Conn. – Most members of Westport’s 36-member Representative Town Meeting, the town’s legislative body, plan to run for re-election in November’s municipal election, Town Clerk Patricia Strauss announced Tuesday.

Westport residents interested in running for a seat on the Representative Town Meeting, the town's legislative body, can pick up petition forms from the Town Clerk's Office, Room 105 at Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave.
Photo Credit: *File: Vanessa Inzitari*

by Vanessa Inzitari

08/06/2013 2:00 p.m.

The RTM is a non-partisan body made up of four members from each of the town’s nine districts. Of the 36 members, 29 have expressed interest in seeking re-election, Strauss said. “Districts 4, 7, and 8 have all four incumbents running. This leaves the remaining six districts with openings,” Strauss said. “Districts 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 each have three incumbents returning. District 9 has two incumbents returning.” Members not running for re-election are District 1 representative Cornelia Olsen, who moved out of the district; Sean Timmins of District 2; District 3 representative Melissa Kane, who is running for a seat on the Board of Selectmen; District 5 member Richard Lowenstein; District 6 representative Chris Urist, who moved out of the district; and Gilbert Nathan and John McCarthy, both of District 9.

Residents interested in running for a seat on the RTM can pick up a petition form from the Town Clerk’s Office. Petitioners must gather 25 signatures from residents in their district to qualify to be on the Nov. 5 ballot, Strauss said.

Completed petitions must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by Sept. 10.

As of Tuesday, Strauss said five petitions have been issued, but none have been returned.

RTM members are elected for two-year terms. As the town’s legislative body, members vote on all town requests for appropriations more than $20,000; approve town ordinances; vote on final approval of the town and education budgets; serve on two or more committees that review and make recommendations regarding appropriations and ordinances; and review certain decisions of town boards and commissions. “I encourage everyone to consider running for the RTM,” RTM Moderator Eileen Flug said. “It’s a group of civic-minded people making important decisions for our town.” The Town Clerk's Office is in Room 105 of Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave., and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. For more information, contact Patricia Strauss at 203-341-1105 or via e-mail at pstrauss@westportct.gov.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Westport and receive free news updates.