Anania Elected New East Haven Town Council Chairman

The new Republican-controlled East Haven Town Council met for the first time tonight at the Senior Center for a special meeting to select the board's leadership slate.

Republican Richard Anania was elected the new chairman of the town council. The vote was unanimous and no other names were put forward to contend for the chairmanship.

Robert Sands, also a Republican, was elected the new vice-chairman. Democrat Michael Riolino's name discussed during the meeting as a possible vice-chairman contender.

But after Town Counsel Joseph Zullo and Anania said they would not support the Democrats' request for a secret paper ballot vote if two or more candidates were put forward for a position, only Sands name was voted upon by council members via a public role call vote.

All of the Republicans votes in favor of Sands, and all of the board's Democrats abstained — with the exception of Riolino who voted "No."

Also, Roxanne Melillo was appointed the new Permanent Clerk of the Town Council.

East Haven Patch will provide additional comments and information from tonight's meeting.