The Newtown Board of Realtors conducted an installation meeting at the Newtown Country Club on Thursday, November 15.

While members dined on lunch and enjoyed flutes of champagne, outgoing Newtown Board of Realtor President Connie Widmann introduced outgoing president of the Connecticut Association of Realtors, Michael Barbaro.

Mr Barbaro requested all new 2019 slate members stand at the front of the dining room and raise their right hand as he read them the official oath.

Members being sworn in included David Landau, president; Cyndy DaSilva, vice president; Michele Brown, secretary; Kathy Hamilton, treasurer; Ms Widmann, director; Anne Stark, director; Barbara Frey, director; Jackie Himmelfarb, director; Joan Salbu, director; Sandy Anderson, state director; Robert Morey, director; Paul Spigener, director; Lindsay Gaudioso, director; Diane Licata, director; Alice Holmes, historian; and Lisa Hintzen, state director.

Mr Barbaro then presented Ms Widmann with the 2018 president’s plaque.

“She’s been a big part of our team and a big part of the work we’ve done over the last two years that I’ve been working with her… We are lucky she served here for two years, and I’m sorry to see her moving on,” he said.

Ms Widmann expressed her thanks to everyone and said, “It was an honor to serve on the Board.”

Mr Barbaro also presented Mr Landau with the 2019 president’s pin, to which Mr Landau said, “This is a great honor. I am excited for 2019 to be able to serve you on the Board, and I’m excited for the slate we have.”

Later in the meeting, the Newtown Board of Realtors honored Cathy Masi of Flagpole Realty, who was unable to attend, with a champagne toast for earning the Emeritus Award. The award is given to a realtor who has served the community for 40 years.

According to Ms DaSilva, the installation ceremony also included a check donation to one of the initiatives that the Newtown Board of Realtors supports.

“Michael Burton was there to accept a check for $4,000 for the Museum in the Streets Project in Sandy Hook,” Ms DaSilva said. “The Newtown Board of Realtors gave $2,000, and we had a matching Grant from the National Association of Realtors [NAR] of $2,000. The funds will go to the installation of four benches near the pavilion on Glen Road in Sandy Hook Center.”