A nearly brand-new Legislative Council met on December 1, naming its new leadership and preparing its new members for consideration of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Republican Jeff Capeci, who has previously served on the Legislative Council as chairman and just ended a term on the Board of Selectmen, was named the council’s new chair.

Republican Councilman Matt Mihalcik nominated Capeci, saying that his “experience as a past chairman” made him a good choice now.

“He was a great chairman,” said Mihalcik. “He worked with both the council and the Board of Selectmen and is a great person to lead us for the next two years.”

Capeci said he wanted to “continue our tradition of open government and transparency” and continue in-person meetings.

“Going forward, I would like to have as many members here [in the council chambers of the Municipal Center] as possible,” said Capeci. “This week helped us meet the challenges facing the people of Newtown.”

Ryan Knapp nominated Republican Charlie Gardner as the council’s vice-chairman. Gardner has previously served on the Board of Assessment Appeals and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“[Gardner] will make a great vice-chairman from his experience on other boards,” said Knapp. “The Board of Assessment Appeals is not an easy board to serve on. I have very high confidence in [Gardner] as vice-chairman.

With only three incumbents from the previous term and nine new members, the council spent its first meeting reviewing the ABCs of the CIP; what the plan was and what was in it.

The council is expected to consider and possibly take a vote on the CIP at its December 15 meeting, as well as considering what to do with the C.H. Booth Library’s leaking roof. Members of the Board of Library Trustees are expected to be coming to that meeting with new price quotes on the roof repairs.

Reporter Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.