Fairfield Selectmen To Discuss First Selectman Vacancy

FAIRFIELD, CT — At its July 23 meeting, the Fairfield Board of Selectmen will discuss filling the vacancy created by the untimely death of First Selectman Bill Gerber, according to Acting First Selectwoman Christine Vitale.

In a message to residents Thursday, Vitale wrote that the board, which is now Vitale, a Democrat, and Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick, a Republican, will discuss it. Gerber's term is set to expire in November 2027.

"Understandably, many are wondering what comes next in terms of permanently filling the position of the First Selectman," Vitale wrote. "The process for filling vacancies on the Board of Selectmen (including the office of First Selectman) is outlined in Article 6.3 of the Town Charter.

"Under Article 6.3 of the Town Charter, the Board of Selectmen has 30 days from the date the vacancy is created to fill the position. Conscious that timing may be an issue, I plan to have this item on the Board of Selectmen's July 23 meeting agenda."

The full text of Article 6.3 in the Fairfield Town Charter reads as follows:

§ 6.3. Vacancies on the Board of Selectmen.

A. Long-term illness or disability of First Selectman. In addition to the death or resignation of the First Selectman, a vacancy shall exist in the office of First Selectman if the First Selectman is unable to carry out the duties of office for a period of four consecutive months, as certified at the end of that period by the remaining Selectmen to the Town Clerk. The vacancy shall exist from the date of such certification.

B. Method of filling vacancies on the Board of Selectmen. At any time a vacancy occurs on the Board of Selectmen, including First Selectman, a replacement, who shall be registered with the same political party as the person vacating the office, shall be designated by the remaining Selectmen. If the Selectmen designate one of themselves to fill the vacancy, they shall designate another elector to fill the vacancy of Selectman so created. If the vacancy is not filled within 30 days, the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the procedure set forth in Chapter 146 of the General Statutes for filling vacancies in the office of selectman.

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As of Friday afternoon, the agenda for the meeting, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Independence Hall, was not yet online.

Gerber, 60, passed away on Tuesday afternoon from complications following two surgeries to remove a malignant brain tumor. He and Vitale were elected to the posts in November 2023; Kupchick, who Gerber defeated for First Selectman, became a Selectwoman on the board.