AGAWAM – Members of the Agawam City Council elected former Agawam mayor Christopher C. Johnson as their new president on Jan. 2.

During the re-organizational meeting at the Roberta G. Doering School, the 11-member panel set out to elect their new president and vice president, swear in old and new members and pick their assigned seats.

City Clerk Vincent F. Gioscia delivered the oath of office to newcomers Rosemary Sandlin, Robert A. Magovern and Dino R. Mercadante. The three are replacing former council President James P. Cichetti, Richard M. Theroux and Donald M. Rheault.

Both Sandlin and Magovern are seasoned politicians from Agawam, while Mercadante is a local business owner in the city.

Councilors Christopher C. Johnson, Cecilia P. Calabrese, George Bitzas, Robert E. Rossi, Paul C. Cavallo, Anthony R. Suffriti, Gina M. Letellier and Joseph Mineo were all sworn in for new terms.

After the oaths, Johnson received a vote from every panel member to be elected as the next president – only six of the eleven votes are needed for a majority win.

The former mayor said he is excited to start working with the council in his new capacity.
 

“I just want to say thank you to all of you for your support,” he said. “I look forward to a productive year, both working together with you and also with our new mayor who is in the audience tonight.”

Following the nomination of the president, the group elected Calabrese to fill the vice president role underneath Johnson. In a six-to-five vote, Calabrese was chosen over Suffriti. During the nomination, several councilors said they believed the position should be filled by a woman.

Calabrese, who has served as the city council vice president before, echoed Johnson’s sentiments. She said she feels suited for the position.

“I’m well versed for the job and I’m really looking forward to working with our new mayor and with Council President Johnson and with everyone here on City Council,” she said. “I think we’re going to have a really great term.

A brief swearing ceremony will be conducted for Mayor Elect Bill Sapelli, the Agawam City Council and the Agawam School Committee on Jan. 7. The ceremony will take place at the Roberta G. Doering Middle School, where the city council meetings are held every Monday, at 1 p.m.