Rosenthal Sworn In

For A Second Term

By Steve Bigham

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal was sworn into office Sunday, officially starting his administration’s second term.

Mr Rosenthal, joined by 22 other town officials who also took the oath of office, placed his left hand on the Bible and held up his right hand as he took the oath from Judge William Lavery, a close friend. The town’s 113th first selectman was reelected to office earlier this month, along with fellow selectmen Joe Bojnowski and Bill Brimmer. All ran unopposed.

The new term began Wednesday, December 1.

In addressing the audience, Mr Rosenthal talked about the accomplishment of his administration and the need to continue to preserve the character of Newtown in the future. He also thanked both Democrats and Republicans for the non-partisan politics practiced over the past two years. Mr Rosenthal said bipartisanship has been evident on all boards and commissions and has been effective in the town achieving its goals. He credited the work of both his fellow selectmen and promised to continue the close working relationship he has with the Legislative Council.

“I anticipate that we will continue to set aside political differences and work together to achieve our common goals so that all of these opportunities will be realized in a successful way for the best interest of the people of Newtown,” he said.

Mr Rosenthal’s long list of things to do will only get longer as he enters his second term. His first term was a prelude to many of the big decisions that will actually take place during his second term. The “challenge” of finding the best re-use of Fairfield Hills will be the “major decision for the new term,” he said.

Republican Town Committee Chair Marie Sturdevant congratulated Mr Rosenthal for his reelection victory. However, she and her party have vowed to give the first selectman some tough competition in his next reelection bid in 2001.

Mr Bojnowski was also sworn in. Mr Brimmer was out of town and had been sworn in earlier.

Ten of the 12 Legislative Council members took the oath of office, including three newcomers, Doug Brennan, Ruby Johnson and Daniel Rosenthal. Rounding out the list of council members sworn in were Peggy Baiad, Timothy Holian, John Kortze, Pierre Rochman, Will Rodgers, Donald Studley and Brian White. Joe Borst and Melissa Pilchard were unable to attend the event.

Other town officials taking the oath were Sheila Stickles and Vincent Saviano (Board of Education), Sandra Motyka and Jay T. Gill (Town Hall Board of Managers), James Reilly and Richard Simon (Police Commission), Charles Annett (Zoning Board of Appeals), Timothy Cronin and Michael Daubert (Zoning Board of Appeals alternates), Edward Ruddock (Planning & Zoning alternate), and Charles Framularo (Board of Assessment Appeals).

Those unable to attend Sunday’s event were Stephen Koch, James Boylan and Michael Osborne (P&Z), Robert Taylor (P&Z alternate), Richard Kessler and Steven Berg (ZBA), Patrick Mullins (ZBA alternate), Charles Pilchard (Police Commission), and Robert Matzelle and Eleanor Mayer (Board of Assessment Appeals).

Lisa Schwartz and Marie Sturdevant organized the event. Earl J. Smith served as master of ceremonies.