New London — The City Council on Monday appointed organizer, teacher and longtime Shiloh Baptist Church Deacon Earl J. Wilson Sr. to fill the vacant seat created by the resignation of Anthony Nolan.

The vote was unanimous and Wilson was welcomed with a standing ovation after being sworn in by City Clerk Jonathan Ayala.

"I thoroughly appreciate the offer. I'm grateful," "Wilson said. "I just want to be the best councilor I can be ... do the best job I can."

Nolan, also a deacon at Shiloh, left the council after his election last month to represent New London in the 39th House District.

Wilson is a retired federally certified police officer who worked for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation where he focused on correctional, juvenile and truancy issues. He's been a member of Shiloh for 55 years and a deacon for 39 years. He is first vice president of the National Baptist Deacons Convention of America and numerous other community organizations.