With congratulatory speeches and patriotic music from the high school band, winners from the Nov. 8 municipal election officially took oaths of office at North Haven’s 2011 Inaugural Ceremony.

Held at North Haven High School’s auditorium on Nov. 30, the evening event was hosted by Master of Ceremonies Lawrence Lazaroff. “I truly believe that everyone here, everyone watching this on NHTV and everyone who voted needs to be thanked,” he said. “It’s not just those who got elected into office who need to be recognized, but everyone who works together for one purpose, and that is the safety and success of North Haven.”

Newly elected and reelected town officials sat in chairs on the auditorium stage, waiting to be called up and sworn in by various state judges, including North Haven and East Haven Probate Judge Michael Brandt. “We’re welcoming these individuals into leadership roles,” Brandt said at the onstage podium before the audience. “These individuals are committed to the town. They make sacrifices in their time and careers for the benefit of North Haven and that sacrifice is what we’re celebrating tonight.”

Having earned another two years of service with a historic landslide victory on Nov. 8, returning First Selectman Michael Freda took the oath of office from Connecticut Supreme Court Judge and longtime friend Brian T. Fischer. “I met Michael Freda in 1958 in West Haven kindergarten.” Fischer said with a laugh, before swearing in the First Selectman. “He wore a suit to the first day of class.”

“We became fast friends, and for the last 53 years have been best friends,” he added. “I’m so proud of Mike and wish him the best of luck for the next few years.”

After reciting his oath, Freda thanked Fischer and delivered his acceptance speech. “It’s a great honor and privilege to be the First Selectman of North Haven,” he said. “I want to thank all the members of all the boards and commissions. Public service is not an easy thing to do. I look forward to working with all of them in a bipartisan fashion.”

Freda’s history with the town is lengthy. “I grew up in West Haven but my roots in North Haven go back to before I was born,” he said. “As a child, I would visit my aunt and uncle who lived on Fitch Street. Even at a young age — and I have reflections about this that go back to when I was two years old — I can remember wanting to come to North Haven and visit my aunt and uncle and my cousins. Even though I have now lived here for 32 years of my life, North Haven has always been part of the very fabric of my existence.”

Successes from his first term, Freda stated, included budgetary surpluses at both fiscal years’ ends. “I tell my department heads that just because the taxpayers give us a dollar doesn’t mean we have to spend it,” he said. “I’m proud that each and every one of my department heads runs their departments like their very own business.”

Freda, whose Republican party swept November elections, called for continued emphasis on financial planning, economic development and cooperation. “The town of North Haven is in terrific financial shape,” he said. “But economic challenges remain. We have identified challenges that we need to focus in on with implacable focus in coming years.”

“We will continue to work in a bipartisan fashion with empathetic listening of the minority, opposing party and their points of view,” he added.

Other returning officials sworn in included second selectman Tim Doheny, town treasurer Laurie Jean Hannon and Town Clerk/Tax Collector J. Stacey Yarbrough. Also sworn in was new third selectman Alan Sturtz, constables, fire commissioners, police commissioners, zoning Board of Appeals members and their alternatives, and members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Assessment Appeals, Board of Education and Board of Finance.