Shaban joins Middlebury board

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Selectman Brian Shaban, left, joined Middlebury First Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr, center, and Selectman J. Paul Vance Sr., right, to complete Middlebury’s Board of Selectmen. (Marjorie Needham photo)

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

The vacancy on Middlebury’s three-member Board of Selectmen that was created when then-Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr was sworn in as first selectwoman December 1, 2025, has been filled. Middlebury’s newest selectman is Brian Shaban, who was sworn in by his father, Superior Court Judge Dan Shaban, on January 13, 2026. He will serve out the remaining two years of Mahr’s term.

Shaban, 36, was chosen by a panel of five town officials who cast three of their five votes for him. Shaban, a Republican, joins Mahr, who is unaffiliated and J. Paul Vance Sr., who is a Democrat. Middlebury’s Board of Selectmen now has a Democrat, an unaffiliated member and a Republican.

Shaban said it was an absolute honor and a privilege to be chosen for the position. He said, “I want to bring people together and work for the town. I will advocate to adjust the mill rate to offset the revaluation.”

The five town officials who formed the panel that chose Shaban were Town Clerk Brigitte Bessette, Treasurer Ralph Barra, Democratic Registrar of Voters Fran Barton, Republican Registrar of Voters Nancy Robison, and Tax Collector Cindy Palomba. They cast their ballots as follows: Bessette voted for William Stowell, Barra voted for Sally Romano, and Barton, Robison and Palomba voted for Shaban,

In a Facebook post, Shaban introduced himself to those who may not know him. He said he looked forward to executing his duties as selectman for the benefit of all residents of the town regardless of political affiliation, and he would work as hard as he could to uphold their confidence in his selection and to work cooperatively with the other selectman to ensure the well being of our town.

He said, “As a lifelong resident of the town, deputy chief of the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department, and as husband to my wife, Chelsey, and our two young children, I am fully aware of the financial, social and business issues facing our town that require our undivided attention. I will advocate with my full energy to drop our mill rate to offset the recent revaluation which is making it difficult for our residents to afford to live here.” He encouraged residents to reach out to him with any concerns requests or input, and said he looked forward to hearing from them. He ended with “It is a privilege to serve you all.”