Leadership of the town council as well as the school board remain the same following the inauguration and oath of office ceremony on Monday night.

Councilors Suzan Wilson and John Perreault were sworn in following their reelection in November as well as board newcomer Alison Harris.

On the school board, Corinne Perreault and Joy Prescott were sworn in for another term along with new member Teresa Gillis. By a unanimous vote, Bill Thompson retained his seat as chairman as well as Prescott as vice chairwoman.

The leadership vote was not unanimous for the town council, however, with Councilor Suzan Wilson nominating Councilor Kathy Wilson and Councilor Steve Walker nominating previous chairwoman, Sarah Brayman. In a split vote, councilors Dave Watson, Suzan Wilson, Kathy Wilson and Alison Harris failed to garner enough votes against councilors Steve Walker, Perreault, Dan Harris, Jane Millett and Brayman, thus securing the seat for Brayman.

Councilor Suzan Wilson then nominated Walker for vice chairman and the vote passed unanimously. Walker accepted saying he believes the council has a great team and he looks forward moving forward with Brayman.

“Most of you know, I’m a Cleveland sports fan, so I know what rebuilding years are — I think we just went through a year where there are a lot of changes in the town. Sarah and I got our feet under us as leadership, but now I think is a year we can really perform,” Walker said.

Brayman said she expected a split vote, noting that the independent nature of the council is something to be praised and that no matter what differences the council faces, they always meet and get right back to work the next day.

Brayman said she is looking forward to working with the council in the new year and that she believes Alison Harris is a great addition to the council.

“I’m very happy to be working with Vice Chairman Walker again. We’ve got a lot of challenges, but I believe this council is up to it and I’m looking forward to the hard work and fun that we’re going to have in the months to come and year to come,” Brayman said.

Asked if she felt the split vote affected her influence on the council, Brayman replied the division was no indicator. She pointed out that her last vote was a five-to-four split and that a split vote doesn’t mean a divided council.

“I will work with everyone at this table and I will call on them to work with me too. So, I do not consider it a weakness. I consider it a strength of an independent body,” Brayman said.

Committee appointments

Appointments Sub-committee: Dan Harris, Kathy Wilson,
Alison Harris
Brunswick Development Corporation: Dan Harris, Kathy
Wilson
Brunswick Teen Center: Suzan Wilson
Cable Television Committee: Dave Watson
Downtown and Outer Pleasant Street Master Plan Implementation Committee: Kathy Wilson, Jane Millett
Recycling and Sustainability Committee: Steve Walker
Rivers and Coastal Waters Commission: Steve Walker,
Suzan Wilson
TIF-MRRA Districts Committee: Dave Watson, John Perreault, Dan Harris
Trust Fund Advisory Committee: Jane Millett
Finance Committee: Alison Harris
TV3 Negotiation Committee: Alison Harris

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