#MiddleburyCT #BoardOfSelectmen #RalphBarra
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
Middlebury Democratic Selectman Ralph Barra resigned from his elected position effective Wednesday, April 19, 2023. In a letter filed with the town clerk’s office at 9:25 a.m., Barra said he felt there was a conflict between his beliefs in how the town should be developed and the current situation that is unfolding. He said the conflict includes the code of ethics, which excludes him from expressing his own opinion, and his views on the distribution facility. He noted that he and his family have enjoyed Middlebury’s rural charm for over 45 years and said, “Future changes may have a dramatic effect on the quality of life.”
Middlebury First Selectman Edward B. St. John said he learned of Barra’s resignation Wednesday afternoon. He said he immediately sent Barra a text message asking him to call St. John so they could discuss his resignation. Selectman Elaine Strobel said St. John was hoping Barra would reconsider his resignation.
St. John said Barra did not respond to his text message. “I know nothing about why he resigned. Ralph was a wonderful selectman, St. John said. “I had a nice conversation with him before the Board of Selectmen meeting (April 17). There have never been any issues. I’m shocked. I don’t know why this came about.”
St. John said the town’s code of ethics governs elected officials’ behavior and the only time it was discussed with Barra was at a Board of Selectmen meeting when attorney Dana D’Angelo explained the code and what it is intended to do.
Barra did return a call from this newspaper, but we unfortunately missed his return call, and he had to leave a message. His message was, “I will not be answering any questions. My resignation letter is my statement. I am very proud to have served the people of Middlebury for seven years.”
We called his house again and spoke to his wife in an attempt to clarify that his position is that he resigned because the code of ethics kept him from publicly stating his position on the proposed distribution center. She said she would pass along the question. As of April 22, Barra has not responded.
Our question, however, was answered in an article published in the local daily on April 22. In it, Barra told the reporter he decided to resign after receiving a memo from D’Angelo reminding him the town’s code of ethics prohibits Board of Selectmen members from taking a position on any land use issue. He was quoted as saying the code of ethics “crossed me the wrong way.” He also told the daily that he could not hide behind a code of ethics that prevented him from expressing his views on the distribution center.
To fill the vacancy on the Board of Selectmen, St. John said the Board will now wait for the Middlebury Democratic Town Committee (MDTC) to submit some names for consideration so a Democrat can be appointed to fill Barra’s term of office, which ends with this November’s election.
MDTC Chairman Curtis Bosco has called for a Tuesday, May 9, dinner meeting at 7 p.m. at Pies & Pub. He has asked MDTC members to submit the names of people willing to serve in this position by May 9.
Bosco told this newspaper he also encourages any registered Democrats who are Middlebury residents and are interested in being appointed to fill Barra’s unexpired term to come to the May 9 meeting or to contact a member of the MDTC.
UPDATE April 22: Adds information from article in local daily.
