The Shelton GOP will pick its slate tonight, after Democratic Town Committee Chairman David Gioiello's challenge to Mayor Mark Lauretti on July 17.
The GOP is likely to endorse Lauretti for a 12th two-year term, at the 7 p.m. convention at the Plumb Memorial Library.
There is one democrat on the Board of Aldermen, John "Jack" Finn, who is running for a 15th term.
Anthony Simonetti, GOP Chairman, said Lauretti has brought economic development into the city and converted low tax-generating land into profit for the city.
The chairman has said Lauretti has improved the city since he first took office in 1991, when Downtown Shelton was rundown. He added that the city has put millions of dollars into the school system through reusing schools and renovating school buildings.
The tax rate has not increased in several years, and dropped slightly this year.
But Gioiello said Lauretti has abused his power. He charged that the mayor cannot be both a developer and the mayor. He also said the mayor has played favorites in City Hall by not firing city employees in legal trouble.
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