Pomfret’s Christy resigns board seat
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Pomfret Town Board member Brett Christy has resigned.
Christy's resignation was effective Sept. 7. He cited increased work requirements at his day job, in his letter to Town Clerk Allison Vento.
"After about 10 great years on the town of Pomfret board, I have decided to step back and let new fresh ideas be brought to this board," Christy wrote. "It doesn't come easy, but many additional requirements in my day job have made it not so easy to properly fulfill my obligations as I wish on this board."
Christy's seat will apparently get filled in the November election. Town attorney Jeffrey Passafaro told the board that under state law, a town clerk must inform the Board of Elections by Sept. 20 of any resignations from elected positions that have taken place prior to that date. That's because any position opened before then is supposed to go up for a vote on the November ballot, he said.
Passafaro said the board can effectively do nothing right now about its vacancy unless it wanted to fill it just for the rest of 2023.
"You have nothing to do or (any) control over the election law," he said. "Just leave it alone right now."
There are currently three candidates up for two four-year terms in November. Deputy Town Supervisor Ann Eckman said she asked the Board of Elections if the vacancy opened by Christy's departure would affect that. She was told the Pomfret ballot will have to contain a third item, to fill the remaining two years of Christy's term, and the three current candidates cannot run in that contest.
Passafaro suggested double-checking about the matter with the Board of Elections after Vento officially notifies it of Christy's resignation.