Former Somers first selectman wants to serve on Finance Board

Susan Danseyar, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·3 min read

Dec. 2—SOMERS — Former First Selectman C. G. "Bud" Knorr Jr. — who decided not to seek a third term in November — wants to serve the town again as a member of the Board of Finance.

The board is looking to fill a seat left vacant on the six-member panel when William Meier III was elected to the Board of Selectmen in November. Meier's term on the Finance Board was to have ended on Nov. 18, 2025, and whoever is appointed will serve the remainder of his term..

The Finance Board on Wednesday met in executive session to review the four applications it received to fill the position. It decided to interview all the applicants on Dec. 7. In addition to Knorr, the board will be interviewing Francis Formica, Michael Streitelmeir, and Ralph W. Williams, who is a retired news editor of the Journal Inquirer.

Knorr said Wednesday that he looks forward to meeting with the board to discuss his qualifications and anticipated contributions to a board that has an important role in town government.

"My work history, experience, extensive town involvement and contributions, and as a 13-year member of the Board of Selectmen and first selectman with intimate knowledge of all aspects of town government, personnel, and local and state politics indicates that I will be an unbiased, non-partisan, independent and significant contributor to the Board of Finance if I am selected," he said. "More important is my desire to serve and give back to the town that has been good to me and my family."

REPLACEMENT

WHAT: The Board is Finance will interview four applicants on Dec. 7 to fill the seat left vacant by William Meier III, who was elected as a selectman in November.

APPLICANTS: Former First Selectman C. G. "Bud" Knorr Jr., Francis Formica, Michael Streitelmeir, and Ralph W. Williams.

Knorr added that he looks forward to making a difference on the board by leveraging his experience and commitment.

According to Chief Financial Officer Michael D. Marinaccio, the board will formally interview the applicants on Dec. 7 in open session but, per the advice of the town attorney, any applicant may request that he be interviewed in executive session without the public being present.

Following the interviews, Marinaccio said, the board may go into executive session to consider the applicants. The board will meet on Dec. 14 for a final discussion, if any is needed, and select the applicant who will fill Meir's seat.

Wednesday night's review of the applicants' resumes and statements of interest in serving had been scheduled for open session. However, Marinaccio said the town's attorney advised that the discussion needed to be done in executive session to protect the interests of the applicants.

He said that essentially Wednesday night's meeting was not a board meeting but, rather, a meeting of the board's selection committee.

The board voted at a Nov. 16 special meeting to appoint all its members to the selection committee. That same night, the board voted to reappoint Michael Parker as chairman, Kathleen Devlin as vice chairwoman, and William Salka as clerk.

For more coverage of Somers and Ellington, follow Susan Danseyar on Twitter: @susandanseyar, Facebook: Susan Danseyar, reporter.