This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

11/22/2023 12:14 PM

Branford RTM Begins New Term with Democrats in the Majority


Branford’s 2023-25 RTM held a special organizational meeting Nov. 21 at Branford Fire Headquarters, shown here in their roles for the new term (l-r) are: Victoria Verderame (R) minority leader; Frank Twohill (R) clerk; Maryann Amore (D) moderator; and Tracy Everson (D) majority leader. Image capture from BCTV/Facebook

A Democratic majority took the lead for the new term during a special organizational meeting of Branford’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) on Nov. 21. The new 2023-25 term marks the first time Democrats have held the majority of seats on the RTM since the 2011-2013 term.

During a brief meeting on Nov. 21 at Branford Fire Headquarters, Branford first selectman Jamie Cosgrove (R) presided as temporary moderator, and Town Clerk Lisa Arpin (R) as temporary clerk, to initiate the transition of the RTM into the 2023-25 term.

Arpin presided over the swearing in of the RTM members. Arpin said there were 16 incumbent members and 13 newly elected members.

New RTM officers for the 2023-25 term were nominated without contest and elected by a majority voice vote. The RTM’s newly-elected moderator is Maryann Amore (D, District 4) and its newly-elected clerk is Frank Twohill (R, District 1).

The 2023-25 RTM majority leader is Tracy Everson (D, District 5), and the RTM minority leader is Victoria Verderame (R, District 4).

The RTM parliamentarian for the new term is Peter Hentschel (D, District 2).

The RTM’s new, two-year term will run through Nov. 18, 2025. The members of 2023-25 Branford RTM called to take the oath by Arpin on Nov. 21, by district, are:

District 1 - Incumbents Tricia Anderson (R), Lindsay Marottoli Greenberg (R), Frank Twohill (R) and newly elected members Mark McCall (D), Shannen Sharkey (R) and Alisa Waterman (D).

District 2 - Incumbents Joshua Brooks (D), Peter Hentschel (D) and Chris Hynes (R).

District 3 - Incumbents Adrian Bonenberger (D), Peter Black (R), and newly elected member Tom Keefe (D).

District 4 - Incumbents Chiran Neupane (R), Maryann Amore (D), Victoria Verderame (R), and newly elected members Dan Adelman (D), Shahida Soomro (D).

District 5 - Incumbents Tracy Everson (D), Ray Ingraham (R), and newly elected members John Hartwell (D), Alex Larsson (D), Abigail Adams (D).

District 6 - Incumbent Anthony Alfone (R) and newly elected members Gino Popolizio (R), Nancy McCormack (D), Joseph Loffredo (R).

District 7 - Incumbents Barbara Maresca (R), Donna Laich (D), and newly elected member Susan Dahill (D).

The RTM members raised their right hands and swore to support the constitution of the United States of America, the constitution of the state of Connecticut, and to faithfully discharge the laws of the Branford Town Charter and the duties of the RTM Town meeting.

The Nov. 21 special organizational meeting of the RTM can be viewed in its entirety at BCTV on Facebook.