BRUNSWICK

Councilors John Perreault and Suzanne Wilson will lead the way for the Brunswick Town Council this year.

Perreault and Wilson were elected as chairman and vice chairwoman, respectively, during the town’s inauguration meeting last week.

Perreault, nominated by outgoing chairwoman Allison Harris, was the only councilor nominated as chairman.

Councilor Suzanne Wilson was nominated as vice chair- woman by Councilor Kathy Wilson, and won the seat by a 7-1 vote. Councilor Steve Walker voted in opposition, having nominated Jane Millett.

There was also discussion by the council during the short 20-minute meeting about possibly starting the long-standing 7 p.m. meetings earlier, and keeping them shorter so councilors and the public can get home at a more reasonable time. Council rules will be discussed at the council’s next meeting.

“I just want to thank everyone,” said Perreault. “I appreciate the confidence the council puts in me and hopefully we will have a successful year. I know we have talked with most councilors and we have a few things we’d like to proceed with and see if we can shorten these meetings a little bit and get moving in a positive direction here.”

Town Clerk Fran Smith swore in newly elected councilors Christopher Watkinson (District 5), James Mason (District 7) and Kathy Wilson (at large). Outgoing councilors Dan Harris and Sarah Brayman didn’t seek re-election.

Newly re-elected school board members James Grant (District 5), Sarah Singer (District 7) and William Thompson (at large) also took the oath of office during the ceremony.

With no debate, councilors also unanimously voted in favor of Perreault’s motion to appoint Stephen Langsdorf of Preti Flaherty as the town attorney for 2018.

Langsdorf said the contract with the town is nearly the same as last year, with the monthly retainer fee rising from $5,900 to $6,000, and a $5 increase in the hourly rates to keep up with inflation.