As the keeper of vital records for the Town of Branford, Town Clerk Lisa Arpin started the New Year by marking a milestone for Branford's Levy family – the birth of their first child, Layla Rose, who also holds the distinction of being the first baby born in the state as the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2018.

As previously reported, Yale-New Haven Hospital announced the arrival of Layla Rose Levy as its first baby born in the New Year, arriving at 58 seconds after midnight and weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounces. See the news here

On January 12, the records vault in Town Hall served double duty as the site of a brief congratulatory ceremony, festooned with balloons and decorations done in baby girl pink. Gifts given to the family included Layla Rose's official birth certificate, an engraved commemorative platter and a bottle of bubbly to take away.

"How often does a [New Year's Day] baby born to Branford parents be the first in Connecticut? We had to capture the moment," said Arpin.

Harrison and Amelia Levy were touched by the gesture Arpin and staff members made, on behalf of the town, to welcome their family.

"We moved to Branford four years ago, and this makes it even more special," said Amelia Levy.