FAIRFIELD – As expected, the group of 10 Democrat town electors Monday night appointed Christine Vitale to be first selectman, 40 days after the late Bill Gerber’s death.
In a unanimous voice vote, the group of elected town officials – which included Vitale – allowed the first term selectman and acting first selectman to fill out Gerber’s term until 2027. She was named acting first selectman on June 28 when Gerber had to step aside after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, which eventually took his life on July 15 after surgical complications.
The rest of the electors who appointed Vitale included Charlene Sabia-Lebo (Constable); Jay Wolk (Constable); Kevin Flynn (Constable); Ruth Smey (Constable); Jonathan Delgado (TPZ Alternate); Joseph Siebert (TPZ Alternate); Harold Zawadski (ZBA Alternate); Elise McKay (ZBA Alternate); and Matthew Waggner (Registrar of Voters).
Vitale, a 29-year Fairfield resident who had served as chair of the Board of Education for four years prior to her election as selectman, was elected with Gerber in 2023 as second selectman.
“I am honored and humbled to accept the nomination,” Vitale told members of the public and the RTM Monday night. “When Bill Gerber asked me to run for the Board of Selectmen with him two years ago, I never in a million years thought we’d end up here today under these circumstances.
“It’s with a grateful heart that he trusted me to appoint me as acting first selectman in his absence and with a heavy heart that I find myself here at this time. I feel I am speaking for everyone in this room and this community that we are really a real sense of loss but also a real sense of purpose to continue the work that he started.”
During her acceptance speech Vitale addressed the concern in town about the need to heal and unite residents following Gerber’s death.
“I can assure you that has been my top priority since assuming this role almost two months ago,” she said. “I remain focused on providing stability for Fairfield’s residents and town employees, keeping town operations running smoothly, making myself accessible to residents and working collaboratively to address the challenges facing our community.”
Among the initiatives that Gerber vociferously advocated just prior to his death, two stand out – the fight against the installation of monopoles by UI in town and neighboring Bridgeport and the effort to stop the sale of Aquarion Water Co.
“Both of those are still big issues,” Vitale said. “We are waiting for the [Connecticut] Siting Council to meet again to reassess on the monopoles. They didn’t have a quorum (last time). We haven’t heard when they are going to take up the monopole issue again.
“In terms of Aquarion, we are partnering with other towns to fight that sale to RWA. We are waiting for that to move forward. Both of those issues are with the regulatory agencies right now. We are going to continue advocating and staying engaged.”
Vitale’s background
As a member and chair of the Board of Education from 2017-2023, she was instrumental in securing funding for the renovations at Mill Hill Elementary School and HVAC upgrades at Osborn Hill Elementary School, North Stratfield Elementary School, Fairfield Woods Middle School, Tomlinson Middle School and Fairfield Warde High School.
Prior to serving on the Board of Education, Vitale was an active volunteer in town, chairing multiple Parent Teacher Associations, leading girl scout troops and serving in leadership roles in the Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County. Her professional background is in project management. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Binghamton University, majoring in political science and English.
The new first selectman and her husband Bill raised their children in Fairfield. Their daughters are graduates of the Fairfield Public Schools and their son is currently enrolled in the Community Partnership Program.
Next steps
According to the town charter, any person appointed first selectman shall serve for the portion of the term remaining unexpired or until a special election is called. Such an election would be called if a petition signed by at least 5% of registered voters is filed with the town clerk no later than 15 days after the appointment. In this case, such a petition would need to be filed by Sept. 9.
Last week sitting state Sen. Tony Hwang, a Republican, announced he is seeking the first selectman post in such a special election. He has begun the petition process and hopes to get at least the necessary 2,400 signatures.
As for filling Vitale’s now open selectman seat to fill out the three-person board, the Republican Selectman Brenda Kupchick and Vitale need to designate a replacement to fill out the term.
