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Town Council members are slated to meet Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. to talk about filling O’Dea’s unexpired term. O’Dea, a Republican, won election in November to become state representative for the 125th House District, which includes New Canaan and Wilton. O’Dea will replace Rep. John Hetherington, who is retiring.
The position must be filled by a Republican because the town’s ruling party must have a two-thirds majority on the council, Town Council Chairman Mark DeWaele said during Wednesday’s meeting. That information came from Town Attorney Ira Bloom, DeWaele said.
But no rule requires there to be eight GOP councilors among the 12 members, said Councilman John Emert, a Democrat who said he reviewed the town charter. DeWaele said he wants to hear from anyone interested in joining the council but did not want to tell non-Republicans at the last minute that they could not run for the seat.
Council members want to fill the post quickly because it and other town boards will begin working on the proposed 2013-14 town budget.
So far, three candidates, all Republicans, have expressed interest in O’Dea’s seat.
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