Branford Swears-In 1st Democratic RTM Majority In Decade

BRANFORD, CT —The new Democratic majority of Branford's Representative Town Meeting was sworn in after a decade of Republican control, the town committee noted in a news release.

Following the ceremony, Tracy Everson (D-5) was named the Majority Leader, the "first female Majority leader in recent memory," the Committee shared.

All were sworn in to a two-year term Tuesday.

"As one of the first women in this leadership role on the RTM, I am humbled and honored to serve as Democrats take the Majority following 10 years of Republican rule," Everson was quoted as saying.

“The entire team is ready to get to work, providing the checks and balances that taxpayers are looking for in this financially-challenging post-pandemic world," Everson said. "Yes, we are a Democratic majority. Ultimately, regardless of party, we represent you, the people of Branford.”

Everson, the former RTM Minority Leader, is serving a third term representing the 5th District and lives in the Branford Point neighborhood on Mill Creek.

"Baptized in town, Tracy's family has deep roots dating back four generations," it was noted. A licensed agent at Century 21 AllPoints Realty in Branford, she had a 23-year career as an "award-winning" journalist in Westchester County and later worked in professional communications roles for the Westchester County District Attorney and a New York State senator.

The RTM flipped Democratic this year after a decade of Republican control and will have a 17 member majority out of the 30 members, Kevin Coughlin, Branford Democratic Town Committee Chairman, said.

“The Democrats put up a slate of dynamic and accomplished residents who are committed to listening to the people, and finding common sense solutions to the challenges Branford faces,” Coughlin added.

Maryann Amore, who will serve as Moderator, was re-elected to a seat in the 4th District and previously served several terms on the RTM. She'll be the third woman to serve in this role.

The current Democratic members of the RTM include:

1st District: Alisa Waterman, Chief Science Officer at Freethink Technologies Inc., a bioscience company based in Branford.

1st District: Mark McCall, a technician with PARABIT for the State of CT and all of New England,

2nd District: Joshua Brooks, owner of Brooks-Stone, a Stony Creek based masonry company.

2nd District: Peter Hentschel, who was the co-founder of one of the state’s largest architectural firms, Tecton Architects in Hartford.

3rd District: Adrian Bonenberger, an Airborne-, Ranger-, Reconnaissance-qualified, and valorously decorated two-time combat veteran of Afghanistan and a published author.

3rd District: Tom Keefe, an educator who teaches government, politics and genocide studies at Amistad High School in New Haven.

4th District: Maryann Amore, a former career development counselor, director of a number of youth and adult workforce development programs, and director of a non-profit affordable housing developer.

4th District: Dan Adelman, an attorney who specializes in divorce and personal injury cases.

5th District: Tracy Everson, a realtor and former reporter and communications professional.

5th District: Abigail Adams, a retired professor and Anthropology Chair at CCSU.

5th District: John Hartwell, a retired banker and Yale School of Management graduate.

5th District: Alex Larsson, the CT sales manager for an all natural and organic food distributor who also teaches history and political science.

6th District: Nancy McCormack, a former State of Connecticut Corrections Dept Supervisor who previously served as the first female Moderator of the RTM in the late 1990s.

7th District: Donna Laich, a former high school teacher, coach, and school psychologist in the Wallingford public school system.

7th District: Susan Dahill, a retired advertising professional.