BEACON FALLS — It was an emotional last meeting for First Selectman Susan Cable. Friends and family attended the Board of Selectmen meeting Monday to support the outgoing first selectman, who has served on the board since 1991, with the exception of 1995-97.
“Thank you for allowing me to serve you for over 20 years. …It’s been an honor, it really has,” Cable said before the meeting closed.
Selectmen Michael Krenesky and Dominick Sorrentino will also be leaving their posts when the new board takes over Nov. 21.
Sheryl Feducia, treasurer of the Board of Education, thanked the selectmen for their support of the school board, especially during budget votes.
“You will be all truly missed,” she said.
Kevin McDuffie, chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission, echoed Feducia’s comments.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
Sue Dowdell presented Cable with a lifetime membership to the Friends of Beacon Falls Library in recognition of her support of the library throughout her tenure.
Cable said she would have liked to have chosen when she left office, but she respects the people’s decision for a change. Even so, Cable said she is looking forward to a less-hectic schedule.
“I now, for the first time in over 20 years, am going to have one cell phone,” Cable said.
Cable said she’s not accepting any offers for other projects right now.
“I just want to take some time and put it all in perspective. …“I’m going to have more time with my family and that’s going to be very special,” Cable said.
Cable said her proudest accomplishment over the last 20 years is having an “open, honest, committed government.”
She said she’s also proud of her work to help build a regional high school, bring sewers to Rimmon Hill, repairing the Depot Street Bridge, and filling the once-empty industrial park, and bringing the first doctors to Beacon Falls.
Sorrentino has also been on the political scene in Beacon Falls for many years, but did not run for re-election.
“I appreciate the time and education I got and people respecting me in the position I served. It was an honor,” Sorrentino said after the meeting.
He said he looks forward to spending more time with his grandson, who is now 2 years old.
Sorrentino said he got involved in politics because of three exceptional women — Vivian Molleur, Helin Mis, and Dorothy Thurston — who encouraged him to run for various boards. Sorrentino served on the Parks and Recreation Commission, Inland Wetlands Commission, and Board of Finance before landing a seat on the Board of Selectmen.
“It just seemed to be a natural chain of events,” Sorrentino said. “When I came on six years ago, I hoped to make Beacon Falls a better place. All the decisions I made were for that.”
While Cable and Sorrentino will be leaving Beacon Falls politics behind, Krenesky is merely switching positions. He will be treasurer under the new administration.
“I’m very happy that the voters of Beacon Falls entrusted me with this position,” Krenesky said.
Cable met with the incoming board, First Selectman-elect Gerard Smith and Selectmen-elect Dave D’Amico and Chris Bielik for several hours Monday to go over town issues and the history on current projects. They went over where historical files are located and the personnel and history of each department in town, Bielik said.
“It’s amazing how you can fit 20 years into two hours,” Bielik said.
