East Lyme ― The Zoning Commission on Thursday elected Anne Thurlow as chairwoman.

The move returned Thurlow, an unaffiliated member who lost reelection in November on the Republican ticket, to her former leadership position. She had been appointed to fill a commission vacancy this week.

Thurlow was nominated by Republican Michael Foley. The motion was seconded by Nancy Kalal, an unaffiliated member who ran with the Democrats.

In addition to voting for herself, Thurlow got support from Kalal, Foley and Republican Norm Peck III. Democrats Gary Pivo and Denise Markovitz voted against the motion.

The vote occurred after Peck declined nomination by Pivo. Peck, who has been a member of the commission since 1989, said he had good reasons to decline but hoped “to be around here for a while.”