On January 16, the Town Council voted to appoint Democrat Vincent J. Mase, Sr. to the Board of Education (BOE) to fill a seat vacated by Dianne Vumback, for a term which expires November 12, 2019.

Vumback, a Democrat, served four years as an elected member of the BOE. The BOE is made up of seven elected members serving staggered terms.

In her resignation letter dated Dec. 27, 2017 and received by the Town Clerk's office Jan. 5, 2018, Vumback noted, in part, "I have enjoyed my tenure on the BOE and believe I have made positive contributions to the North Branford School District. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community where I have lived my entire life, and where I chose to raise my own children. I am leaving amidst no controversy, rather because of exciting opportunities that exist for my family."

To view the full text of Vumback's resignation letter, see the related document posted with this story.

By Town Charter, the Town Council appoints BOE members to fill vacated seats. With eight of nine members in attendance on Jan. 16, the council voted unanimously, 8-0, to appoint Mase to the BOE. Deputy Mayor Rose Marie Angeloni (R) was absent.

Mase, an attorney, most recently served the town for a brief period as an appointed Democratic member of the Town Council. He joined the council on Sept. 19, 2017 to fill a council seat vacated by councilman Chris Manna (D), who resigned upon moving from town. Mase served in that appointed role until the Nov. 7, 2017 municipal election, when the current nine-member council was elected.