Kiley Joins Fairfield's Top Elected Board

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – It's official: Kevin Kiley, a Republican, is now a member of Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen. Board members Michael Tetreau and Cristin McCarthy Vahey unanimously agreed to appoint the former Board of Finance member to the vacant position Thursday evening.

“I cannot think of anyone more prepared to take on the challenges of being on the Board of Selectmen,” said James Walsh, the former holder of Kiley’s seat.

Walsh resigned last month over questions surrounding a potential conflict of interest between his role as a selectman and his work as an attorney. The decision marked the end of his two-year tenure on the board.

The Republican Town Committee recommended Kiley to replace Walsh at its meeting Monday night. Tetreau and McCarthy Vahey, both Democrats, voted to appoint him without much debate.

“I was always impressed with Kevin’s ability to take a larger issue and put things in perspective,” said Tetreau, who worked with Kiley on the Board of Finance before becoming Fairfield’s first selectman. “I look forward to serving with him on the Board of Selectmen.”

Immediately after the vote, Kiley was sworn in by Town Clerk Betsy Browne. He then took his seat to Tetreau’s right and joined the board for the rest of the meeting. Before his swearing in, he thanked his wife and two sons for their support.

“You cannot serve the town of Fairfield for 19 years without the support of a family,” Kiley said. “It’s a lot of work, and it’s a lot of commitment. ... I’m happy to do it, but I could not do it without them.”

As a selectman, Kiley is now one of three voting members on the town’s executive board. He and his fellow board members are responsible for overseeing the town’s budget and spending authorizations, labor agreements, legal claims, appointments to other boards and commissions, use of town facilities, ordinances and changes to the Town Charter. His term will run until fall of 2015.

Kiley’s move to the Board of Selectmen leaves an opening on the nine-member Board of Finance. The Republican Party nominated Walsh to take his place at Monday’s meeting. That appointment was not listed on the Board of Selectmen’s agenda Thursday but will likely be handled at its next meeting July 11. 

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