Inauguration Set for January 3: the Peter Gill Era Begins with Many Challenges Ahead

The swearing-in ceremony for our town officials, led by incoming Council President Peter Gill, is scheduled for this Tuesday, January. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cummings School.

Town Manager James McKenna will preside over the inauguration program which is always an exciting occasion and represents a new beginning.

This year that’s especially true because lifelong Winthrop resident Peter Gill will take the oath of office from Town Clerk Carla Vitale as the new president of the nine-member Town Council. Gill has contributed to the betterment of our town in many capacities, including his current role as one of our assessors. His brother, Richard, served admirably as one of our town councilors in the new form of government that was adopted six years ago. Gill’s family will be in attendance as he accepts the most powerful and important elected position in our town government.

It’s a tremendous honor for Peter Gill and he understands the crucial role that he will have as the leader of the council for the next two years. The town has many issues and vital decisions to be made such as whether to pour millions of dollars into renovating the high school and middle school (and please don’t forget to finally rehabilitate Miller Field which has become one of the worst athletic facilities in the Northeastern Conference) or to build a brand new middle school/high school complex such as the ones in Manchester/Essex and Ipswich.

Gill will place his own imprint on the style of leadership he will bring to the Council. He said he will be a “team player” and rely on his colleagues’ advice and experience in making the decisions that will affect our residents. We want to wish Peter Gill good luck as he prepares for the next era of our town’s history.

We also want to congratulate our returning councilors who will be inaugurated Tuesday, Precinct 2 Councilor James Letterie, Precinct 6 Councilor Linda Calla, and Councilor-at-Large Phil Boncore, along with the newest member of the Councilor, incoming Precinct 4 Councilor Craig Mael, who is succeeding Jeanne Maggio in office.

And so, too, we say congratulations and good luck on the momentous occasion of the swearing-in ceremony to School Committee members Melissa Polino, Gary Skomro, and Mary Alice Sharkey, Housing Authority members Richard Honan and Frank Ferrara, and Library Trustees James M. Matarazzo, Alex Alexanian, and Maria Ferri.

There is no such thing as an “easy” year in town government. There is no doubt that 2012 will be challenging in many different ways, both expected and unexpected. We trust our town’s officials will act wisely and in the town’s best interests at all times.