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Board of Selectmen appoints deputy town meeting moderator ahead of June 4 referendum
Summary
The East Lyme Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Robert Dothik as deputy town meeting moderator the night before a scheduled budget referendum; one board member abstained, citing concern the usual vetting process was bypassed.
The East Lyme Board of Selectmen voted June 3 to appoint Robert Dothik as deputy town meeting moderator, a step board members said was necessary because the regular moderator will be unavailable for the June 4, 2026 budget referendum.
The nomination was made and seconded during the meeting and the board carried the motion with one abstention. The board did not record individual names for the mover or seconder in the record; the clerk stood ready to administer the oath if needed.
One board member questioned the speed of the appointment, saying the selection "came quickly" and stressing the town's usual vetting process should be followed so "all eyes are dotted and tees are crossed," and then announced they would abstain from the vote. Town leaders responded that the referendum timeline left little time for the ad hoc committee process and that other potential candidates were not available or qualified on short notice.
The action ensures the town will have a deputy moderator to preside at the referendum in place of the regular moderator. The meeting record shows the vote carried with five in favor and one abstention.
The board moved on to other agenda items after the appointment; the town clerk indicated she was prepared to swear in the appointee if required.
