Middletown’s newly elected Town Council and School Committee members took their oaths of office Monday evening, marking the beginning of new leadership for the town’s governance and education system.
The inauguration ceremony, held at Middletown Town Hall, featured Congressman Gabe Amo administering the oath to both groups of elected officials.
Town Clerk Wendy J.W. Marshall opened the proceedings, introducing the color guard from the Middletown Police and Fire Departments. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Reverend Father Thomas O’Neill delivered the invocation.
In the November 5 General Election, seven candidates were elected to the nonpartisan two-year term on the Town Council: Barbara A. VonVillas, Paul M. Rodrigues, Thomas P. Welch III, Peter D. Connerton Sr., Dennis B. Turano, Christopher Logan, and Charles R. Roberts.
For the School Committee’s nonpartisan four-year term, Tami E. Holden and William Nash secured positions.
Congressman Amo, addressing the gathering, emphasized the significance of local governance. “Just over a year ago, I was elected to represent this district in Congress,” Amo said. “I’m inspired by the action of everybody here tonight.”
Following the swearing-in ceremonies, the council proceeded to elect its leadership. Paul M. Rodrigues was nominated and unanimously elected as council president. Thomas P. Welch III secured the position of vice president, also by unanimous vote.
The council then moved to appoint key town officials. Peter B. Regan was reappointed as town solicitor, with Michael E. Monti named assistant town solicitor and assistant town solicitor for prosecution matters.
Michael W. Miller, though absent from the ceremony, was reappointed as probate judge. Barbara A. Barrow received the appointment of assistant probate judge.
The inauguration marks the beginning of a new term for Middletown’s local government, with the newly sworn-in officials now tasked with addressing the town’s challenges and opportunities in the coming years.
As the meeting concluded, attendees were invited to join the Town Council for refreshments, providing an opportunity for informal discussions and community building.
Watch The Meeting
