Dan Panico appointed Brookhaven’s deputy supervisor

Brookhaven Town councilman Dan Panico was appointed the town’s deputy supervisor Dec. 24, according to supervisor Ed Romaine.

Panico replaces councilwoman Kathy Walsh as deputy supervisor. Walsh also had served as acting supervisor after former supervisor Mark Lesko resigned in September, and before Romaine was elected in a special election in November.

“I’ve worked closely with Dan in the past. He devotes a lot of time to town government,” Romaine said Monday. “He’s someone who I believe will help me with managing the town.”

Both Romaine and Panico are Republicans.

Panico was elected to the town board in March 2010 in a special election after Romaine’s son, former councilman Keith Romaine, died suddenly in November 2009. Panico was re-elected to a full term in 2011.

He pledged to focus on “running an effective government that’s efficient and meets the needs of our residents.”

“I truly believe in a transparent, effective government,” Panico said Monday. “I think the world of Ed — he’s a hard worker and he’s incredibly bright. He’s an ideal partner for anyone.”

Panico, who had been friends with Keith Romaine, said he hoped to “carry on his work ethic and his legacy” in working with his father.

Romaine also confirmed the appointment of former Southampton Town attorney Garrett Swenson as his chief of staff.

In addition to serving in Southampton from 2006 to 2007, Swenson was also Brookhaven’s chief deputy town attorney from 2004 to 2006, and senior assistant town attorney from 1988 to 1993.