About two-thirds of the officials who were elected or re-elected earlier this month, along with nearly 100 friends, family members, and supporters turned out for an Oath of Office Ceremony that was held at Newtown Community Center Saturday, November 20.

Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia Halstead greeted everyone in attendance.

“Thank you all for coming today on this wonderful occasion,” Halstead said. “Thank you all to the newly elected town officials who are willing to serve our beautiful Town of Newtown.”

Newtown resident and former State Senator David Cappiello served as Master of Ceremonies and introduced the Newtown Police Dept Honor Guard, who made their way to the front of the room.

As they presented the American and State of Connecticut flags, 10-year-old Eva Haley led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Grace Lynch singing the National Anthem.

Cappiello took a moment to acknowledge some special guests in the room not being sworn in — former First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, State Representative Tony Scott, State Senator Tony Hwang, State Senator George Logan, and State Representative Mitch Bolinsky.

Pastor Lori Miller, from Newtown United Methodist Church, then made her way to the podium before inviting everyone to take a deep breath as she said a prayer.

“We thank you for these men and women who heard the call to serve this community in positions of leadership. Bless them, oh God, that they may be guided by your wisdom and motivated by your love,” she said in prayer.

Elected Officials

Bolinsky did the honors of swearing in Halstead as town clerk, then Halstead proceeded to swear in the remaining elected officials in groups. Those who took the Oath of Office were:

Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers full-term members Marie Smith and Betsy Paynter, and (filling a two-year vacancy) Armel Kouassi;

Police Commission member Scott Cicciari (Brian Budd was not present);

Zoning Board of Appeals members Alan Clavette and Rachel Rowen;

Zoning Board of Appeals alternates Tiffany Hawley, David Landau, and Christina Paradis;

Planning & Zoning Commission (full-term) members Roy Meadows and Gregory Rich, and (filling a two-year vacancy) Kersti Ferguson;

Planning & Zoning Commission alternates Brian Leonardi, David Rosen, and Connie Widmann;

Board of Assessment Appeals (full-term) Kadri Graffeo and (filling a two-year vacancy) Scott Reiss;

Board of Education members Janet Kuzma, Jennifer Larkin, and Don Ramsey;

Board of Finance members Chandravir Ahuja, Geoff Dent, Steven Goodridge, John Madzula, Laura Miller, and Erica Sullivan;

Legislative Council members Jeffrey Capeci, Philip Carroll, Angela Curi, William DeRosa, Christopher Gardner, Dan Honan, Lisa Kessler, Tom Long, Ryan Knapp, Michelle Embree Ku, and Matt Mihalcik;

Board of Selectmen members Maureen Crick Owen and Ed Schierloh; and First Selectman Dan Rosenthal.

‘Honored To Serve’

After being sworn in, Rosenthal thanked the many people in attendance who helped make the event special.

“The last four years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with the boards and commissions. In shared purpose, together we have accomplished a great deal for our beloved town,” he said. “I’m also fortunate to have the dedicated staff across all town departments. Frankly, I could not do what I do without them. They put their heart into serving the community day in and day out.”

He thanked Capeci and Crick Owen, who served on the Board of Selectmen with him this past term.

Rosenthal emphasized that they have “been a pleasure to work with” and they always put Newtown first in all they did. He then invited his two colleagues to share their perspective on their time serving Newtown.

Crick Owen started off by saying that when she found out she would be speaking today, she thought about what community means to her. It not only is the sense of belonging that connects us, but she said, “Community is a place we can call home.”

Crick Owen and many previous generations of her family have called Newtown their home. She reflected on how she saw her parents lead by example in the community by volunteering their time to help others and work in town.

“I’m so glad my parents instilled those values in me. It is an absolute pleasure to continue to donate my time and efforts to this cherished community,” she said.

When speaking about what inspires people to serve as an elected official, she joked it is certainly not the money – because there is none, except in the position of first selectmen. She shared how people serve because they care.

Crick Owen added, “While each of us has our own party affiliation, what’s common amongst all of us is that we work for every single resident in Newtown. I am hopeful that each of us can work together as neighbors first, for the good of our town.”

She concluded her speech by thanking and congratulating all the elected officials.

Capeci followed her remarks by first expressing what an honor it is for him to serve Newtown.

He thanked many people for helping make it happen, including the voters of the third district, his family, friends, and the Newtown Republican Town Committee.

“The past four years I have been honored to serve my fellow Newtowners on the Board of Selectmen. Dan, Maureen, and I have worked very well together. We have had great successes,” Capeci said.

In jest, he noted that in business, what he is doing, going from the Board of Selectmen back to a position on the Legislative Council, would be considered a “demotion.”

However, Capeci explained, “I decided I could do more good to serve Newtown in my former role on the Legislative Council than selectman … as a newly elected member I will proudly represent the third district.”

At the end of the Oath of Office Ceremony, Rosenthal returned to the podium to give one more round of thank you’s and specifically shared his gratitude to his wife and three children who have been by his side through it all.

Cappiello concluded the event by saying to the newly sworn-in officials, “To all of you, congratulations and good luck on the next two years.”

Everyone in attendance was then invited to enjoy a wide spread of food and refreshments.

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Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.