Southington Council's Finance Board Appointment Challenged In Court

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The Southington Town Council unanimously appointed Republican Robert Britton to the t0wn's board of ginance in July, filling the seat vacated by the death July 1 of Edward Pocock Jr.

But that decision is now being challenged in court by two residents who contend the council did not have the legal authority to fill the vacancy.

Minutes from the council's July 13 special meeting provide details about how Britton was selected and show that council members did not publicly discuss whether the Southington Town Charter gave them authority to make the appointment.

Britton was appointed to a two-year Southington Board of Finance term expiring in November 2027.

Councilwoman Jennifer Clock nominated Britton, describing him as an experienced financial services executive with more than 25 years in banking and leadership.

Clock said Britton was a senior vice president and senior commercial relationship manager for Connecticut Government Banking at M&T Bank, where his work included developing relationships with municipal and state government organizations.

"This person is highly qualified for this position, something I personally feel is extremely important for every candidate serving on our Board of Finance," Clock said.

Councilman Tony Morrison seconded the nomination.

The only legal issue expressly raised during the public discussion concerned Britton's existing position on the Southington Planning and Zoning Commission, a position he resigned from.

No other discussion was held before the vote.

Council members David Zoni, Jennifer Clock, Michael DelSanto, Kristen Guida, James Morelli, Tony Morrison, Christopher Palmieri, Joshua Serafino and Chaplinsky all voted for the appointment.

Britton was then immediately sworn into office by the town clerk.

"He's official! Congrats," Chaplinsky said following the swearing-in.

Appointment Now At Center Of Lawsuit

But the July proceedings have taken on new significance after Southington residents Anthony E. D'Angelo and Dawn D. Anastasio filed a Superior Court action seeking Britton's removal from the board of finance.

According to Democratic duo's complaint, the vacancy resulted from the July 1 death of Republican Board of Finance member Edward S. Pocock Jr., who had been elected in November 2025.

The lawsuit alleges the town council exceeded its authority by appointing Britton.

At the center of the dispute is Section 208 of the Southington Town Charter, which generally gives the council authority to fill vacancies in elective offices, but expressly excepts vacancies on the board of education, planning and zoning commission and board of finance.

D'Angelo and Anastasio contend that because board of finance vacancies are excluded from the council's appointment authority, state law instead governs the process.

Their complaint cites Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-343, which provides that, unless otherwise provided by charter or special act, the remaining board of ginance members appoint a successor at a special meeting called for that purpose.

The plaintiffs are asking New Britain Superior Court to issue a writ of quo warranto removing Britton from the finance board.

The allegations have not been adjudicated, and the complaint represents the plaintiffs' legal claims.

The documents provided do not include Britton's or the town's response to the lawsuit.

GOP Defends Appointment

The Southington Republican Town Committee is defending Britton's appointment.

In a statement, the GOP said Britton was summoned to Superior Court in connection with the lawsuit filed by D'Angelo and Anastasio, whom the committee identified as members of the Southington Democratic Town Committee.

The Republican committee maintains Britton's appointment was lawful.

"The town attorney, town manager, and townclerk advised that the appointment followed the requirements of thetown charter," the committee said.

It further asserted the charter requires the vacancy to be filled by a Republican and that the town council has authority to make the appointment.

That interpretation directly conflicts with the central claim made by D'Angelo and Anastasio in their lawsuit.

The plaintiffs contend Section 208 of the Town Charter excludes Board of Finance vacancies from those the Town Council is authorized to fill.

Their complaint argues that Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-343 instead requires the remaining finance board members to appoint a successor unless the charter or a special act provides another procedure.

The GOP said the appointment occurred after legal review.

"Mr. Britton did not appoint himself; he was selected through a public, unanimous vote of the elected town council following legal review," the committee said. "We are confident the court will fairly consider the facts, applicable law, and the town's process."

The GOP also criticized the decision to pursue the dispute in court, saying disagreements should be addressed "respectfully, through open debate, as to not waste taxpayer dollars in such a manner."

For the minutes of the July 13 Southington Town Council meeting, click on this link.

For documents related to the lawsuit, click on this link.