Kevin Gsell Resigns from Morristown Council

Kevin Gsell’s term on the Morristown council was due to expire at the end of this year, but because he’s moving out of town, he’s stepping down now.

“Kevin Gsell resigned his position because he bought a house in Morris Township,” said Matt Stechauner, Morristown Town Clerk. “On Monday, the 8th, he sent an email essentially memorializing the fact (that he’s resigned). It means that there’s a vacancy.”

Stechauner then gave a simplified version of the vacancy law that would apply to this situation.

“The Morristown Democratic Committee needs to provide three names to the town council. They have to do that within 15 days. The council has 30 days from when the vacancy occurs to name somebody to the council from those three names,” he said.

“I'm researching this as it is a unique situation, I  will advise as soon as I know,” said Mary Dougherty, chair of the Morristown Democratic Committee.

His resignation did not come as a surprise as he already announced that he’d be moving back in May when he dropped out of the Democratic primary election.

Michael Elms would be an obvious pick for one of the three the committee will name because a Superior Court judge ruled in May that Elms may replace Gsell on the ballot for Morristown Council in the June 4 Democratic primary, even though he submitted petitions after the deadline.

Elms went on to win the primaries with 649 votes (20.76%) along with the others on Team Dougherty: Mayor Tim Dougherty, Michelle Dupree Harris and Toshiba Foster, all incumbents.

During Gsell's time on the council, he did not make many comments and often recused himself from voting in certain issues dealing with liquor licenses.

In matters concerning the Walsh family — whose family members own and operate several Morristown bars and restaurants — Gsell has recused himself from discussions and votes, as he is married into the family and has not wanted to present a conflict of interest.