A Five-Way Race For Mayor?

Mayor Fred B. Allyn Jr. will be on the ballot in November as a petitioning candidate for mayor – one of four candidates – having submitted the required number of signatures by Wednesday's deadline of 4 p.m.

Petitioning candidate Robert Lawrence also met Wednesday's deadline, but a possible fifth candidate – Franklin E. Crandall – did not.

Town Clerk Calvin Brouwer said a family member of Crandall stopped by his office last week to inquire about a run for mayor and to pick up the necessary paperwork.

But Crandall, owner of F.E. Crandall Disposal Inc. on Lambtown Road, failed to return the required 32 signatures by the 4 p.m. deadline.

Crandall is suing the town, alleging the town exhibited favoritism in awarding its current curbside collection contract to a competitor, Sterling Superior Services, even though Crandall was the low bidder.

This was not the first time Crandall has considered a run for mayor. In a previous election he collected signatures to run as a petitioning candidate, and even had his name printed on the ballot before withdrawing from the race.

"We had to have new ballots printed up," Brouwer recalled.

Crandall could not be reached for comment.

Brouwer said Allyn submitted 101 signatures, of which 91 were certified as eligible voters. 

On Wednesday morning Lawrence submitted 66 signatures, just over twice the required number. They had yet to be certified by the close of business, but Brouwer said he didn't foresee any problems.

Allyn, who is seeking a second term, and Lawrence will appear on the ballot with Republican-endorsed candidate John Rodolico and Gales Ferry Fire Chief Tony Saccone, who was endorsed by the Democrats.