Westport’s Board of Finance tonight reelected Brian Stern as its chairman and Michael Rea as vice chairman.
Stern was elected by a vote of 5 to 0 with 1 abstention, his own. Finance board member John Hartwell was not present.
Rea nominated Stern, saying his “leadership, your evenhandedness is much appreciated by the taxpayers of this town.”
“One of the great characteristics about Brian is that he has been, in very tough times with the budget, very patient with the public.”
“There’s a lot of wisdom emanating from this chair,” Rea said.
Lee Caney seconded the nomination, saying Stern’s “executive leadership has been great.”
Stern, in turn, nominated Rea for another term as the Board of Finance’s vice chairman, a nomination that was seconded by finance board member James Westphal.
Stern described Rea as hard working, experienced and insightful, “a massive reservoir of local knowledge.”
Present at the meeting was Second Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, who had previously served on the finance board.
Stern extended his thanks to Tooker for her work on the board. He then won a unanimous vote from the board to his motion to thank Tooker for her years of service.
He also thanked former Board of Finance members Helen Garten and Avi Kaner, most recently members of the Board of Selectmen, for their public service.
Tonight’s meeting welcomed a new Board of Finance member, Andrea Moore who was elected in November.
