The chairman of the Republican Town Committee is calling it quits – while the committee itself will get some new members, including former First Selectman August “Augie” Palmer.
Thomas J. Kelly, who has been on the GOP town committee since 1988 and the last four as chairman, has decided to give up the reins of the committee.
Kelly said Thursday that he’s stepping down to give “younger Republicans in town,’’ a chance to get involved with the party.
Kelly said his resignation would take place on March 8. He said he does not know who will take over the party when he resigns in March.
However, the names of town committee members — Vice-Chairman Victor Catalano and Board of Education member William Neary — have been mentioned by several town committee members as possible replacements for Kelly.
Kelly, who is also on the town’s Board of Finance, said that while he will no longer be part of the GOP town committee, he will still go to meetings and will be on hand to help out where and when he can.
“I’m still deeply committed to the party,’’ Kelly said.
On Tuesday night the town committee held a caucus and eight members of the town committee were removed and eight new members were voted on the committee, including Palmer.
Palmer said Kelly would be missed on the committee and as its chairman.
“He’s been a great supporter and a hard worker for the party. He’s also very knowledgeable about the town and we’re really glad he’ll still be involved,’’ said Palmer.
This is the first time in four years that Palmer has been on the town committee. He said he was recently asked to be on the committee and decided that he still wanted to be involved in politics.
He has been the town’s First Selectman and Selectman and in November lost a bid for a seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission.
“The party needs help with fundraising, increasing membership and finding good candidates to run for office, so I decided I’d like to stay involved and help the party,’’ Palmer said.
Meanwhile, there could be a primary if anyone wants to challenge the slate that was voted on. Kelly said that after Jan. 14 anyone who wants to could fill out the paper work for a primary that would be held on March 2. He said he did not know if there was anyone who was planning to primary.
The eight Republicans taken off the town committee Tuesday were: Jack Kiley, Vincent Palutis, Colleen Lowell, Joe D. Rasberry, Douglas G. Eklund, Rocco Trungadi, Paul Drimmer and Kelly – at his own request.
The new slate includes:
Incumbents Catalano, Alan Goldstone, Carol A. Zuella, Neary, John Lavin, Linda J. Crowe, David E. Haversat, Larry Ellis, Peter E. Karpovich, Anthony Montanaro, Miriam S. Strong and Michael Angelini.
The newly elected members are: Tanya Carver, Shawn Kilmartin, Palmer, Dave Stocker, Charles Toothill, Lila Ferrillo, Richard Burke and Selectman David Yish.
The Democrats will be having its caucus at 7 p.m. on Jan. 12 at Oxford Town Hall, 486 Oxford Road.
