Republican Bob Merola Named to Legislative Council

Republican members of the Legislative Council unanimously voted Bob Merola onto the Legislative Council Wednesday evening during a meeting in the Municipal Center.

Merola, a former unaffiliated voter who recently registered to be a Republican, was nominated to the seat vacated by John Aurelia.

"He has been asked and is interested in participating," said George Ferguson, who had the nominating honors. "Given his interest in the community, he is our ideal candidate."

Aurelia has said he resigned from the 12-member council because of his failing eyesight and increasingly limited mobility. Merola has frequently spoken at and sat in the audience of past council meetings

The charter allows only the seven Republicans on the council to vote on the nomination when the seat of one of their members is vacated in mid-term, said Council chairman Jeff Capeci, a Republican.

Prior to the vote by Republicans, Democratic council member Dan Amaral voiced support for Merola.

"I've noticed Mr. Merola came to many Legislative Council meetings, always with information and history with what we should do," Amara said. "I strongly recommend him. He has a strong interest and he has a strong interest in Newtown."

Merola was sworn in by Assistant Town Clerk Ann Benore

Editor's note: Bob Merola is serving for the first time on the Legislative Council. An earlier verison of this article misstated his council experience.