Democrat Joseph Verrengia Resigning From Town Council

Effective March 22, newly elected state Rep. Joseph Verrengia, D-20th District, will resign from his position on the town council.

Verrengia, who was undecided on Election Night in February about whether he would have the time to serve both the council and the General Assembly as he continued to work as a West Hartford police officer, came to the conclusion that something had to give.

"The legislative process presents so much to learn, doing it effectively will require my full attention," Verrengia said in a news release issued Tuesday. "I would do a disservice to the General Assembly and the Town Council by trying to do both."

In response to Verrengia's decision, Mayor Scott Slifka said his fellow Democrat would be "sorely missed." He also said a replacement would likely be appointed at the council's meeting on March 22, but that it was too soon to say whom that might be.

"Joe Verrengia has been an invaluable member of the Town Council since 2004, as well as a trusted and dear friend," Slifka said. "He has consistently worked to put politics aside to do what is in the best interests of West Hartford. ... I'm thrilled that he'll be bringing those values to the General Assembly and continuing his work on behalf of the town."

Membership on the town council has changed several times over the past two months. Councilman Rob Durbin, a Democrat, resigned in early February. He faced controversy in the fall after announcing that he had accepted a job teaching law part-time in Jamaica and, in December, was arrested on charges of interfering with a police officer during a domestic incident involving a couple.

Earlier this month, the council shuffled seats when Leon Davidoff, who was elected as a Republican but changed parties, resigned briefly so that he could be reappointed to Durbin's seat. Republicans then filled Davidoff's seat with a new member, Burke Doar.

Verrengia was sworn in to his new office on Feb. 25 and serves on the Judiciary, Commerce and Transportation committees. He defeated Republican Allen Hoffman in a special election that was held to fill the seat of David McCluskey, who was appointed to the state Board of Pardons and Paroles by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

"My time on the town council gave me an opportunity to learn and to grow," Verrengia said. "I intend to use my knowledge and experience that I have gained from serving on the town council and apply it to my duties as a state representative."