With a standing ovation, the Town Council applauded one of North Branford's long-term citizen leaders, Joanne Wentworth, as she was officially recognized for 38 years of service to the town this week.

At the Jan. 5 Town Council meeting, Wentworth also received a commemorative plaque from the town and a citation from the Connecticut State Legislature. Wentworth served as an elected official with the Town Council for consecutive terms from 1977 to 2015. She was elected Mayor ten terms (1983 - 2003) and also served as Deputy Mayor for five terms and as an elected Town Council member four terms.  North Branford's Mayor and Deputy Mayor titles are given to the Town Council candidate receiving the first and second-highest number of overall votes in the municipal election. All positions are volunteer.

"I want to thank everyone for supporting me over the past 38 years," said Wentworth, who is working to stay in good health and called her last election bid to join the 2015-17 Town Council, which did not succeed, "...a blessing in disguise."

"It's been a long time and this has been a blessing in disguise," said Wentworth. "I think we're going to have a great council and I think you're going to do a lot of great things."

Wentworth will be featured as The Sound's Person of the Week on Jan. 14. Look for her story at www.zip06.com!