GREENFIELD — New year, new mayor.
Roxann Wedegartner took office on Thursday, joined by about 100 people including Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, Franklin County Sheriff Christopher Donelan and Greenfield department heads in the John W. Olver Transit Center. She is the third mayor in the city’s history and the second woman to serve in the role.
Following her speech, Wedegartner swore in the recently elected At-Large City Councilors Christine Forgey and Philip Elmer, Precinct 1 Councilor Ed Jarvis, Precinct 2 Councilor Daniel Guin, Precinct 3 Councilor Virginia “Ginny” DeSorgher, Precinct 4 Councilor John Bottomley and Precinct 9 Councilor Norman Hirschfeld.
The newly elected School Committee members Amy Proietti, Jean Walsh Wall, Susan Eckstrom and Glenn Johnson were also sworn in at the same time.
Greenfield City Clerk Kathy Scott then swore in the remaining newly elected officials including AK Warner Fund Trustees Sally Ahern and Barry McColgan, Trustee Under Oliver Smith Richard Shortell and Assessor Joe Ruggeri.
Trustee-Elect Marilyn Hannan wasn’t able to attend the event and will sworn in at a later date.
Wedegartner said it was an honor and a privilege to take the reigns at the start of a new year and decade, which she hopes will be “one of progress for our city.”
“There is a hunger I believe, not just in Greenfield but across the county, for leaders to work together with a common purpose and for the common good, each respecting each other’s roles and responsibilities toward our work and to achieving our accomplishments,” Wedegartner said. “This is what I pledge to do as your mayor, as the oath states, ‘faithfully and to the best of my abilities.’”
Her grandchildren, Charlie Wedegartner, 11, and Claire Wedegartner, 10, both received keys to the city of Greenfield, which the mayor said was Claire’s idea.
Wedegartner said her plan is to have lunch with her family after the ceremony, give a tour of City Hall to her grandchildren, and then start work.
“I also plan on meeting with Danielle Letourneau (a member of the mayor’s office) to make a list of priorities,” Wedegartner said. “I still have to put the office together, too. I have two things I have to tackle soon — my first meeting back on the School Committee and working on the budget.”
Reach Melina Bourdeau at mbourdeau@gmail.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263.