New Enfield Town Council Sworn In; Bob Cressotti Chosen As Mayor

ENFIELD, CT — For the first time in 14 years, a Democratic majority was sworn into office on the Enfield Town Council Monday, as the makeup of the council shifted dramatically from an 8-3 Republican super majority to 7-4 in favor of the Democrats.

Democratic incumbents Bob Cressotti, Gina Cekala and Cindy Mangini were joined by newcomers Doug Finger, John Santanella, Matt Despard and Nick Hopkins on the council. Republican incumbents Mike Ludwick and Lori Unghire were seated alongside newcomer Marie Pyznar; incumbent District 1 councilor Joe Bosco was unable to attend.

Cressotti, 64, was elected mayor by unanimous vote of the council members. The Windsor Locks native, who was a standout athlete in high school and at Eastern Connecticut State College, was inducted into that town's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.

A resident of Enfield for 40 years, Cressotti was a teacher in the Enfield Public Schools for 38 years, and since retiring, has taught math courses at the alternative high school and Enfield Adult Education. He was the first girls soccer coach at Enfield High School, staying on for 14 years, and was a longtime assistant baseball coach under Bob Bromage at Enfield before taking the head coaching position at Fermi High School.

His record of dedicated volunteer service to organizations such as Special Olympics and the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame earned him the George Daly Special Recognition Award from the latter group.

"I am honored to be selected as the next mayor of Enfield," Cressotti told a crowd packed into the town hall Council Chambers. "I will serve this position with honor, dignity, pride and respect, and I thank each and every one of you."

Cekala, 42, was unanimously chosen deputy mayor. She is an attorney beginning her fifth term on the council.

"It has been an honor to serve this town for the last eight years, and I am honored to have the chance to serve as deputy mayor," she said. "I will continue to listen, I will continue to ask questions, and probably continue to argue with [Town Manager] Chris [Bromson] when I don't agree with what he says. I will continue to do what's best for this town."

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