A New Chapter For Fairfield As Town Officials Sworn In

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield’s first selectwoman called for unity Monday night as the town’s newly elected officials took the oath of office.

The ceremony finalized political shifts that occurred on some of the town’s central governing bodies in the Nov. 2 election, when Democrats claimed majorities on the Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting. The Board of Selectmen, which was not on the ballot this year, has a Republican majority.

“Together, through our shared commitment, we can do great things for the town of Fairfield,” First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said in her opening remarks at Monday’s event, during which she spoke in favor of “progress over politics.” “I look forward to working with each and every one of you to move our town forward.”

Also participating in the ceremony was an Honor Guard that included members of the Fairfield police and fire departments, as well as Boy Scout Troop 90. Girl Scout Troop 30913 led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Rabbi Shlame Landa of Chabad of Fairfield spoke, encouraging those in attendance to be agents of goodness and peace in the community. The oaths were administered by Town Clerk Betsy Browne.

The 5-4 Democratic majority on the Board of Finance is the first that the party has won in decades, after newcomers and Democrats Craig Curley and Kevin Starke were elected Nov. 2, along with incumbent Democrat Sheila Marmion and Republican Jim Walsh.

“The residents of Fairfield expect us to work together, regardless of party,” Kupchick, a Republican, said after the ceremony, adding she has good relationships with the senior Board of Finance members and has had productive conversations with incoming members as well.

The Democrats also earlier this month regained the majority on the Representative Town Meeting, after losing a 22-18 stronghold about a year ago when two Democrat members switched parties, evenly splitting the body. After the election, the town meeting is 23-17 in the Democrats’ favor.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, the body's Democratic Caucus held a meeting and elected Elizabeth Zezima of District 4 as the caucus leader.

"Fairfield voters have spoken and we are grateful for the confidence they have placed in us," Zezima said Tuesday in an email. "Good governance, thoughtful leadership and critical investments are essential to keeping Fairfield a thriving and diverse community. We are committed to making Fairfield the best place to live, work and raise a family and look forward to working with our Republican colleagues in that effort."