Obstruction of Town Council Appointment

The Tolland Democratic Town Committee is deeply concerned by what occurred at last night’s Town Council meeting, where Republican members of the Council refused to seat Mary Rose Duberek, the duly endorsed Democratic nominee to fill a vacant Town Council seat.

The Democratic Town Committee followed the Town Charter exactly as written and as it has been applied historically. We conducted due diligence, vetted candidates, and formally endorsed Mary Rose Duberek, a highly qualified 24-year Tolland resident with extensive experience serving the community and a proven record of working across party lines. This is the responsibility assigned to the DTC by registered Democratic voters in Tolland.

The Charter is clear. When a vacancy occurs in a partisan elective office, the vacancy must be filled by a member of the same political party within 30 days. The role of the Town Council is to vote on whether the endorsed candidate meets the qualifications set forth in the Charter. It is not the Council’s role to delay, obstruct, or attempt to renegotiate the process for political advantage.

The refusal to seat Ms. Duberek was not about procedure, timing, or adherence to the Charter. It was a deliberate act of obstruction. Notably, both Republican councilors who voted against her appointment previously relied on this very same process when they themselves were appointed to the Board of Education.

There is real urgency in this matter. The Charter’s 30-day requirement is mandatory, not optional. Identifying candidates, endorsing them, filing official paperwork, and scheduling confirmation votes all require timely action. Delays jeopardize compliance with the Charter and undermine representative government.

The actions taken last night raise serious concerns about partisan interference in a process that is clearly defined by law. The DTC will not allow the lawful will of Democratic voters to be ignored or delayed.

If this obstruction continues, the Tolland Democratic Town Committee will pursue all legal remedies available to ensure the Charter is followed and that the vacancy is filled as required by law.

We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and the integrity of Tolland’s local government.

Tolland Democratic Town Committee