Police Commission members this week bestowed honors on outgoing commission member and vice chairman Brian Budd.

Mr Budd, a Republican, served as a commission member for 12 years, many of them as the panel’s vice chairman. He initially filled the vacancy that was created by the resignation of former member Richard Simon and was then elected and reelected to office.

Mr Budd is the administrative captain at the Stratford Police Department, a law enforcement agency that is about 2½ times the size of the Newtown Police Department.

Mr Budd attended the December 3 Police Commission meeting, sitting in the back row.

As the meeting opened, Chairman Joel Faxon commented, “We gained one [member]. We lost one. It’s bittersweet. But here we are.”

Police Chief James Viadero said, “Brian Budd has had a positive impact on this agency,” in expressing thanks for his service on the panel.

Mr Budd responded that the commission’s main goal during the past few years has been to acquire a new police station. A former office building at 191 South Main Street is now being renovated and expanded to serve that purpose.

“You are in great hands with the chief and captain [Christopher Vanghele] here,” Mr Budd told commission members.

Mr Faxon noted that with Mr Budd’s departure, there no longer is a police officer on the Police Commission. Mr Faxon added that he will seek Mr Budd’s advice when he has questions about an issue. “He has been an extraordinary asset, and will continue to be an extraordinary asset,” Mr Faxon said.

Commission members presented Mr Budd with gifts, including a plaque recognizing his service and a police medallion. The plaque states that through his 12 years of service on the panel, Mr Budd demonstrated vision, knowledge, and professionalism, resulting in a lasting positive impact on the police department.

Commission Officers

In other business at the December 3 session, Police Commission members unanimously reelected Mr Faxon, a Democrat, as the commission chairman.

Although he was not present at the December 3 meeting, commission members unanimously elected Scott Cicciari, a Republican, as vice chairman.

Of his leadership of the panel, Mr Faxon commented that he seeks to be as open as possible in handling his duties. The commission appreciates the comments that it receives from the public, he said.

The other Police Commission members are Democrats Andrew Sachs and Joan Plouffe, and Republican Neil Chaudhary.