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Politics & Government

It's Official: Municipal Officials Take Their Seats

The swearing in of the RTM follows a ceremony for the Board of Selectman and other town officials earlier in the day.

New faces mixed with the old Tuesday night, as the members of the  took their seats in a special session.  It followed the swearing in earlier in the day of and Second Selectman Andy Campbell, among other town officials.

At its special session, the RTM chose Democrat Chris Sullivan as its moderator, and Republican Dennis Flanigan—the longest serving member of the RTM with 28 years under his belt—as clerk.  Democrat Mary Davis will serve as parliamentarian. 

Earlier in the day, Senator Richard Blumenthal had sworn in incumbent DaRos as First Selectman. Lieutenant Gov. Nancy Wyman had sworn in Andrew Campbell as Second Selectman. 

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Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, who, like Campbell, had previously served on the RTM, was not present at the official ceremonies.

By party, the constitution of the Board of Selectman remains the same, with the Democrats holding a two to one majority. Cosgrove will serve as the sole Republican on the board.

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“It was a long day, but it’s fine,” said DaRos Tuesday night of his first day in office of what is now his sixth term, as members of the legislative body approached him to wish him well.  

Campbell termed his new office as Second Selectman at once daunting and challenging.

“We really need to come together...,” Campbell said of all who serve in town government.  “There’s a lot of work to be done right now.”

DaRos said he is surveying the inventory of buildings in Branford.  He mentioned a permanent , the new fire department headquarters and the possible relocation of the as changes now pending or underway in the municipal landscape of the town.

Although he Republicans posted minor gains in the composition of the RTM that took its seats Tuesday night, the Democrats retain a convincing majority. 

Republican representative Frank Twohill Jr., however, said he hoped the Republican gains on the board, however slight, will make the Republicans more competitive when close votes in the legislative body are taken.

At the RTM session Tuesday, the Democrats and Republicans mingled, with Republican Twohill, the minority leader who has served on the legislative body for 22 years, chatting with Majority Leader Anthony Giardiello.

Giardiello, who has served as a representative longer than any other Democrat, is now entering his eleventh year on the RTM.

“I guess the Democrats don’t have staying power,” he quipped of the individual representation on the body. 

The RTM committee chairs for the 2011-2013 session are:  David Baker, Administrative Services; Mary Davis, Rules and Ordinances; Yvette Larrieu, Ways & Means; Doug Hanlon, Public Services, and Maryanne Amore, Education.

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