By Amber Cox
FIELDSBORO A newcomer was welcomed to the Fieldsboro Council to replace an official who died last month.
Diana Ayala was chosen to take Harry Brown’s seat. Mr. Brown died in early December following injuries from an October motorcycle accident. Mr. Brown’s term is set to end in November.
Ms. Ayala is new to politics but joined the council because she wants to get involved with her hometown. She traveled around a lot following her marriage to a military soldier, she said. When her father became ill she moved back to Fieldsboro to help her parents. She said that after her father died, it just felt right for her to stay.
”I managed to get a good job at Church and Dwight Co. in Princeton,” she said. “I’d go to work every day, I’d work out at the gym, but I had some time and just ventured out to do something different to see what I could offer.”
Ms. Ayala said she never thought she would be on a council but thought she’d give it a try and spoke to Mayor Ed Tyler to see how she could get involved.
”It’s new for me,” she said. “Everything is new for me.”
Ms. Ayala doesn’t have any specific plans for the borough yet because she is still trying to get a hold on what is going on.
”I’m not really sure what they’re going to have me assist in so it’s a little too early to tell what I can offer, but whatever they ask I hope to be of service for my little town,” she said.
Ms. Ayala was sworn in by Burlington Township Mayor Brian Carlin, also Fieldsboro’s solicitor, along with Councilwoman Johnette Hardesky who was elected in November. Incumbent Elizabeth Marsh, who was re-elected in November, was not at the meeting, but will be sworn in at the next. Ms. Marsh and Ms. Hardesky were elected to three- year terms. Ms. Ayala’s term ends in November.

