BURRILLVILLE – A well-known public servant who has served stints on both the Town Council and the School Committee has resigned, citing family obligations following the passing of his wife.
John Michael Karmozyn, a longtime teacher in the Burrillville School District was elected to the Town Council following his retirement in 2006. He served on the board through 2010 and then was elected to the School Committee in 2012, securing a seat once again in 2016.
He is currently in the second year of a four-year term on the committee, serving as vice chairman.
In a note to School Committee Secretary Dorothy Cardon, Karmozyn explains that other obligations will limit his total commitment to the Burrillville School District.
“After much thought and consideration, I have decided to resign,” Karmozyn wrote.
Karmozyn is better known as “Mike,” as his father, John Sr., was well-known businessman in town and the owner of Johnny K’s.
Karmozyn has also served as a member of the Industrial Foundation of Burrillville. His wife, Mary Karmozyn, who also served on the School Committee, died last year.
His resignation takes effect November 1.
“Mike being on the Town Council in the past – and certainly in the community in many ways – he’s done a wonderful job on behalf of the town,” said Town Manager Michael Wood. “He certainly deserves everybody’s thanks and appreciation for what he’s done.”
According to the Town Charter, the next highest vote getter who did not win a seat in the prior election must be sworn in to fill the vacancy until another election can be held.
That means that just days prior to the November General Election, Victor Bevilaqua will fill the position. Bevilaqua came in sixth out of six candidates for the committee in the 2016 election.
“The charter says you have to swear someone in within a certain amount of time,” explained Town Clerk Louise Phaneuf. “There probably won’t even be one meeting.”
Bevilaqua, a Republican, is also one of six candidates in the 2018 contest.
“The timing of this is very good because it allows people to elect someone for that position,” said Councilor Raymond Trinque. “I think that was a very straight-forward way of doing this.”
