BRUNSWICK

Sarah Brayman was elected Monday as the next chairwoman of the Brunswick Town Council.

Brayman, who had served in 2014 as vice chairwoman, was elected chairwoman 5-2, with councilors David Watson and newly elected Councilor Kathy Wilson voting in opposition.

District 2 Councilor Stephen Walker was elected vice chairman, 5-2, with Watson and Wilson again voting in opposition.

No other nominations were made.

In speaking with reporters, Brayman said she had reached out to the entire town council when deciding to run for chairwoman.

“I’m committed to communicating and outreach,” she said.

Brayman acknowledged the council’s divisiveness at times during 2014, noting the difficulty in selecting a new town manager.

“We had a tough job last year,” she said, but noted that she was looking for ways for the entire council to work together.

Brayman later added that there may be difficult issues ahead, including the forthcoming budget and the possibility of decreased funding from the state, but reiterated that she was looking forward to working with the council on those challenges.

“Why vote yes?” said Watson, when asked about his opposition after the meeting. “It’s just so it’s not a sweetheart deal.”

“I felt I had to vote what my constituency was telling me,” said Wilson. “They would have liked to see a change. … But I look forward to working with the whole council.”

Two councilors, John Richardson and Suzan Wilson, were not present at Monday’s inauguration.

Brayman will be stepping down from the Brunswick Development Corporation. Newly elected Councilor Daniel Harris, who had been a citizen representative on the BDC in 2014, was appointed Monday to represent the council on that board.

Suzan Wilson was appointed to the Brunswick Teen Center board. Walker and Suzan Wilson were appointed to the Rivers and Coastal Waters Commission. Watson was appointed to the Cable Television Committee.

More appointments may be forthcoming.

Also on Monday, the council reappointed Stephen Langsdorf of the law firm Preti Flaherty as town attorney. The council must still vote on whether to renew its contract with the law firm. Watson voted in opposition.

At the same time the council was choosing its leadership, the school board elected William Thompson as its new chairman and Joy Prescott as vice chairwoman.

Thompson was elected by a 7-2 vote with Christopher McCarthy and Brenda Clough in opposition, according to newly elected board member Sarah Singer. Prescott was elected 6-3, with McCarthy, Clough and Janet Connors in opposition.

Speaking after the meeting, Thompson said the board would work this year on strategic, long-range planning which includes facilities planning. He said the board would also work toward community outreach.

“The board, by and large, gets along very well,” Thompson said. “We have a new member and I’m excited to have new ideas.”

Lawyer & schools

ALSO ON MONDAY, the town council reappointed Stephen Langsdorf of the law firm Preti Flaherty as town attorney. The council must still vote on whether to renew its contract with the law firm.

AT THE SAME TIME the council was choosing its leadership, the school board elected William Thompson as its new chairman and Joy Prescott as vice chairwoman.