Darien Board of Education 2021
Michael Burke Board of Ed LWV forum 10-26-17

Burke Wants Selectman Seat as Selectman Search for Democrat; Ochman Stays on Board of Ed [Updated]

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UPDATED, Friday, 11:16 a.m. — Michael Burke, a Democratic candidate for Board of Selectmen in the last election, has told the board he’d accept a seat on the board if offered. He added that with first selectman candidate Tara Ochman declining to take a seat on the board didn’t mean that he was automatically elected to the seat. With Ochman declining, the decision to fill the seat simply went to the new Board of Selectmen. The seat must be held by a Democrat, in accordance with state election law on minority-party representation on a town board. Ochman was one of the top five vote-getters in the election, entitling her to take a seat, even though she lost the first selectman race to Republican candidate Monica McNally.

Board of Selectmen 2021
Selectman Monica McNally takes oath of office

Monica McNally Officially Selected as Darien’s Newest Selectman at Special Board Meeting

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Monica McNally was unanimously chosen by the Board of Selectmen to be Darien’s newest member of the board, filling in the seat left empty by Christa McNamara — who, as the new town clerk, administered the oath of office to McNally. About 11 other people attended the meeting, including her husband and members of the Representative Town Meeting. “I’m truly honored to be selected for this position,” McNally said in a soft voice after the swearing-in. “I recognize, from my work on the RTM how much the Board of Selectmen does, and I’m really looking forward to working with this team of great people. “On the other hand —” at this point, apparently overcome with emotion, she turned around and put her hand up for a couple of seconds, then quickly turned back around and said, “You can cut that, Jim,” referring to Jim Cameron, apparently operating the Darien TV79 camera recording the meeting.