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DiPietro said he’s depending on his colleagues and constituents to help Malden weather the fiscal crisis. |
DiPietro set to lead Malden City Council
MALDEN - The City Council elected Ward 3 Councilor Paul DiPietro as president during inauguration ceremonies on Monday at the Markey Senior Community Center on Washington Street.
DiPietro takes the reins from Craig Spadafora, who is running as a Republican for a state Senate seat up for grabs in November.
In his remarks Monday, DiPietro, whose third term on the council begins this month, told about 200 guests that he’s depending on his colleagues and constituents to help the city weather a continuing fiscal crisis.
As if to underscore the point, the lights went out briefly during DiPietro’s speech, and he soldiered on in the dark, to the delight of the crowd.
“Let’s get to work,’’ he said. “Let’s get it done; let’s do the business of Malden.’’
The council president makes committee assignments and procedural decisions, among other powers.
Spadafora said in his remarks that he drew inspiration from his colleagues during his time as the president.
“[They] made my term much easier to bear than the current crisis,’’ said Spadafora, who will remain on the City Council during his state Senate campaign.
Mayor Richard Howard administered the oath of office to all elected members of the council and School Committee, including a few new faces.
On the council side, newly elected Deborah Fallon - the sister of City Solicitor Kathryn Fallon and the daughter of former mayor Thomas Fallon - and Barbara Murphy were installed for the first time.
School Committee newcomers Kevin Casucci and Adam Weldai also took the oath of office on Monday.
Outgoing Ward 5 Councilor John Furlong, who served for 10 years, said he’ll remain active in city affairs on the sidelines.
“People asked me to make a farewell speech,’’ he said. “I consider it an ‘I’ll-see-you-around speech.’ ’’
Councilors also bid adieu to John Matheson, who lost to DiPietro in November and served as a councilor-at-large for seven months after Paul Anderson resigned last summer.
Matheson said in a brief speech that he’ll treasure the friendships he made on the council.
Outgoing School Committee members Lisa D’Arcangelo and Gladys Rivera Rogers also were recognized on Monday. Rivera Rogers thanked her family and Ward 7 constituents in her remarks.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to represent them,’’ she said.
Howard, whose current term ends next year, said he looks forward to working with all elected officials in 2010, saluting the “great tradition of our local democracy.’’
Monday’s ceremony included a musical performance from members of the Malden High School Band.
© Copyright 2010 Globe Newspaper Company.
