The nominations of new judges, magistrates, fire marshal and court administrator were unanimously approved by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary yesterday.

The afternoon hearing featured testimony from the candidates who said they were honored to be nominated, and judges, lawyers, politicians and others who attested to the qualities of each.

The only sour note in the mix was Providence lawyer Keven A. McKenna, who praised all of the magistrate candidates yet criticized the process of having judges appoint them. He said it was unconstitutional and accused the committee members of thwarting the voters’ will by accepting them. Vice Chairman Charles Levesque, D-Portsmouth, took issue with that, and reminded McKenna that the process was adopted years ago when there were magistrates already in place.

These nominations will go before the full Senate today to be confirmed:

•Anthony Capraro Jr., 47, as a District Court judge, a lifetime appointment and base salary of about $132,000. Capraro, chief of the trial division for the public defender’s office, would replace retired Judge Patricia D. Moore. Capraro supervised 30 trial lawyers and handled about 80 felony trials that reached a verdict.

John Hardiman, the state’s public defender, noted Capraro’s experience, his respect for the law and “gift of discerning right from wrong.” After seeing Capraro represent the poorest defendants over the last 20 years, Assistant Attorney General J. Patrick Youngs said he exemplified the best of the public defender’s office. “It is gratifying to see somebody from the trenches get the chance to be a judge,” Youngs said.

•Robert M. Ferrieri, nominated to fill a Workers’ Compensation Court judgeship, a lifetime appointment and base salary of $132,062. The judgeship has been vacant since Judge John Rotondi Jr. retired on Sept. 28, 2007. Ferrieri, 48, of Johnston, is a partner in the Providence law firm of Lombardi & Ferrieri, where he concentrates in workers’ compensation, real-estate closings and personal injury cases. Ferrieri is a member of the Workers’ Compensation Bench/Bar Committee.

Workers’ Compensation Court Chief Judge George E. Healey and law firm partner Frank Lombardi said Ferrieri would be an excellent and caring judge. Ferrieri said it was his lifelong dream, and likened his nomination to a basketball player being called up to the NBA.

•Magistrate George N. DiMuro, as Family Court’s administrative magistrate in “child support/reciprocal court.” DiMuro, 63, would replace Debra E. DiSegna, who recently became a Family Court judge. Associate Judge Haiganush R. Bedrosian said DiMuro’s work in Family Court made him a fine candidate. Sen. Paul Jabour, on the committee, told DiMuro that he’d witnessed his great compassion in Family Court.

•Colleen M. Hastings, as a Family Court magistrate on the “truancy calendar.” The $128,650-a-year job has a 10-year term. Hastings, who is a part-time assistant legal counsel to Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Paiva Weed, D-Newport, would replace Mary E. McCaffrey, a sister of Senate Judiciary Chairman Michael J. McCaffrey, D-Warwick. Hastings, 45, is also president and owner of a Newport law firm called the Family Law Center of Rhode Island since 1993.

Lincoln Janes, who is one of Hastings’ three sons, spoke about his mother’s dedication and commitment to the law, to her family and to philanthropic causes. Paiva Weed said that Hastings had impressed her with her ability to respect the needs of children.

•Armando O. Monaco II, as a Family Court magistrate, a 10-year term. He would replace George N. DiMuro as a magistrate in the “child support/reciprocal court.” Monaco, 64, of East Greenwich, had a private law practice from 1973 to 2007, concentrating in areas such as real estate, small corporations and domestic relations. He has been a Family Court mediator since November 2007.

Monaco was called “a gentlemen’s gentleman” for his experience in handling tough cases for mediation. Monaco said he will remember the issues that litigants raised during mediation when he sits on the bench as a magistrate.

•Ronald J. Pagliarini, as Family Court administrator. Pagliarini, 51, now the Family Court chief of staff, would replace F. Charles Haigh, who retired July 31. Judge Bedrosian called Pagliarini someone who can take charge and get a job done, with a demeanor that is responsible and respectful. Pagliarini called the Family Court a “tough place to work and it’s also the best place to work. We can make a difference in people’s lives.”

•John Chartier, as state fire marshal, a one-year term for a $101,744 job. Chartier, 54, who retired as chief after a 30-year career at the Warwick Fire Department, would replace Frank Sylvester, who left in February to return to being fire chief in Lincoln’s Lime Rock Fire District. Chartier received an executive fire officer degree from the National Fire Academy, in Emmittsburg, Md. He holds professional certifications and has received training from the Emergency Management Institute, the National Fire Academy and the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center.

Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian and Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan both praised Chartier’s leadership in the city’s department, and his ability to work with the other fire chiefs in Rhode Island. Providence Fire Chief George Farrell, who was formerly state fire marshal, said the new state fire codes established after the Station nightclub fire made the job more complex. “I’m certain from my knowledge of Jack that what he brought as fire chief, he’ll bring to the state of Rhode Island.”

The committee also voted to approve the appointment of Bradford B. Kopp, of Providence, to the Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission for a term expiring June 1, 2010.

amilkovi@projo.com