After a brief interview Monday night, Monument Town Council voted unanimously to appoint Chad Smith to the board as an at-large councilman. 

Smith replaces long-time Monument public official Jim Romanello, who died as a result of a motorcycle crash in April. 

Smith had just been voted chair of the town’s planning commission before his appointment. He ran against Romanello in 2024, garnering about 47% of the vote against the incumbent councilman. 

As an appointee, he will serve the rest of Romanello’s four-year term.  

During his appointment interview, Smith said he would want to “maintain the course” of the current council, including advocating for responsible growth by paying attention to rezonings and other actions that “affect the community as a whole.”

He also said he wanted to make sure the town maintained its financial course. 

“I’m super impressed with our financial stability,” he said. 

A retired Navy chief petty officer, Smith has launched multiple small businesses and served as president of the Village at Monument Homeowners Association.

He told The Gazette in 2024 that he would as a councilman focus on fiscal responsibility, public transparency, enhanced public safety, water sustainability and environmental protection.

Monument Mayor Pro Tem Steve King said Smith’s integrity was “right up there.” 

One councilmember was displeased by the turnout for Romanello’s replacement. Laura Kronick said she wished there had been more than one application to consider. She said that the position may have garnered more interest if it was paid instead of volunteer. 

“It’s disheartening and disappointing that people are not stepping up to fill the vacancies that matter to everyone here in the Monument area,” she said.