Judi Kozak is a familiar face to anyone who has spent any time in Hamden, having served for years as the town's purchasing agent and at one point, its acting finance director.
She's also served on the Legislative Council, and earlier this month was elected to another term on that body.
And on Monday, her peers on the council chose her as president of the council for the next two years.
"This will probably be the most wonderful swan song," she said.
She replaces former council president Jim Pascarella, who did not seek reelection.
The new council -- which has many of the same members as the old council -- was sworn in Sunday, along with Mayor Scott Jackson, Town Clerk Vera Morrison and three Board of Education members -- during ceremonies at Hamden High School.
Monday was the new council's first meeting, and it spent it deciding who would hold its positions of leadership.
In addition to choosing Kozak as president, the council named Democrats Jack Kennelly President Pro Temp; Carol Noble as Majority Leader; Ozzie Brown as Majority Whip, as well as Republicans Austin Cesare as Minority Leader and Betty Wetmore as Minority Whip.
"What I see here is a congenial council that is going to be working for the good of Hamden," Kozak said. "I have always called it our beloved Hamden and I sincerely mean that."
Next Monday the council will meet again, when it's likely that Kozak will assign committee seats. Council members are to submit which committees they would like to serve on to Kozak this week.
But there won't be any changes to the town building committees, Kozak said.
"We need continuity on those committees so there won't be any changes," she said.
