A Democrat who won enough votes last November for a seat on the South Windsor Town Council is finally being sworn in Monday night.
Harrison Amadasun was kept out of office until now on a technicality.
He won his argument in Superior Court, where the state Supreme Court had sent the case after an appeal of Amadasun’s lower court loss.
Attorney John Kennelly says Town Clerk Bonnie Armstrong had enforced a “party balance” rule that isn’t supposed to take effect until next year. It will limit the majority party in town to five seats on the council.
Amadasun will be the sixth Democrat for now, as still allowed by town rules.
Republican Rick Balboni, who got fewer votes, was seated instead.
“My client felt that this was absolutely improper,” says John Kennelly, attorney for Amadasun. “It was an insult to him individually and, most importantly, to the voters of South Windsor.”
Kennelly and other Democrats suspect party politics were at play in Armstrong’s decision.
“It was an irregular interpretation of the law which immediately begged the question, ‘What was the motivation?’ says Kennelly. “And one is left with the certain feeling that partisan politics played a role.”
Balboni is stepping down from the council, saying, “I respect the ruling and the process that brought us here. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve our community. I am deeply grateful to the residents of South Windsor who placed their trust in me.”
