Farmington Council Appoints Galvin to Open Seat

At their next regular meeting, Farmington city officials will welcome a new member to their ranks.

After two nights of interviews with eight applicants at , officials unanimously voted to appoint financial planner and insurance agent Bill Galvin to the remaining two years of a term .

Galvin was interviewed Monday, along with Margaret Crane, Kristen Kuiken, Jeffrey Taylor and Mark Maniewski; Greg Cowley, Sean Murphy and Greg Sako were interviewed before Tuesday's vote.

While the appointment vote was 4-0, the initial ballot after the last interview was not.

Officials listed their top three candidates on paper; Galvin received three top votes, Kuiken received one. Cowley placed second with three council members, and Sako placed second with one.

"There's a clear majority indication," Mayor Tom Buck said.

Council member Valerie Knol had Kuiken first and Cowley second, but said Galvin was in her "top three. There was not a wide spread in my mind between those top three. That's why I was pleased to support Bill." She added his depth of experience and knowledge of how the city works gave him an edge, "plus, he had great economic development ideas."

"He was well rounded and very aware of all the different elements of government," council member JoAnne McShane said. "I think he will work well with the council. I think he's a person who will do what's best for the city ... I'm happy."

Council member David Wright was the last person appointed. He valued Galvin's small business experience, as well as his knowledge of fringe benefits. Galvin helps small-business owners with their employee benefit programs.

"Employee compensation has the largest impact on the city," he said. "That's something small business and the private side has been wrestling with for years. That experience brought over to the public side will be very helpful." Wright also noted Galvin's "obvious leadership skills."

Buck said he hoped to find a way to harness the energy and passion expressed by all the other residents who applied. Knol hoped they would all find another way to get involved with the city as volunteers.

Galvin is expected to be sworn in before the council's Oct. 3 meeting. He, Cowley, Murphy, Sako, McShane, Kevin Giannini, Kuiken and Taylor are all on the Nov. 8 ballot. The two highest vote-getters will earn a four-year term; the third wins a two-year term.

If Galvin also wins election, officials will likely appoint one of the other applicants to fill his post.

Buck said with the departure of Wiggins and Knol's and Wright's decision not to run for re-election, "experience is important on the council. I hope our voters pay good attention to that. I hope they recognize the experience we have, and how important that is to the city."

With a smile, McShane replied, "Thanks for the endorsement."