AGAWAM –  In a small ceremony, Agawam’s government officials were sworn in for a new term on Jan. 6.

Those sworn in included Mayor William Sapelli, school committee members and members of the city council. The evening ceremony in the auditorium of the Agawam Junior High School began first with the Agawam Veteran’s Council presenting a colour guard, proceeded by members of the Agawam High School band playing the National Anthem.

Mayor William Sapelli was immediately sworn in, following the National Anthem, for his second term as the Mayor of Agawam. Sapelli, who ran unopposed during the November election, said in remarks following his swearing in, “the last two years for me really flew by.” He continued, stating that his first two years in office had been “a very rewarding experience.”

Sapelli said it was “very interesting campaigning for a second time.” He commented on his running unopposed in the election and said it could be for one of two reasons.

“I’ve had many people talk to me about that and there’s two reasons that may have happened. One, is that someone didn’t want to run against me, but what I’m sticking with is no one else wanted the job,” he joked.

No matter the reason, he said, “I appreciate the support I received from all the residents and voters in town, and I’m looking forward to another two years of moving Agawam forward.”

During his remarks, Sapelli  also touched on “unifying local, city and state governments,” something he said was discussed during his first run for the position of mayor.

“I think over the last two years we saw that happen. Between school committee, city council, and the mayor’s office, I think lots of positive changes have been made in Agawam starting with infrastructure, blighted property, not to mention the attitude and excitement that seems to be going around town,” he said.

Sapelli continued, “I’m grateful and appreciative to the councilors and also to the school committee for working as a team, when you work as a team, great things happen. I’m looking forward to another two years.”

Immediately following Sapelli’s swearing in, school committee members lined up on the auditorium stage and were sworn in. Among the six members sworn in were five returning members. Returning members included Anthony Bonavita, Carmino Mineo, Wendy Rua, Kerri O’Connor and Shelley Borgatti-Reed. The sixth and newest member who took the oath was Dawn Dube, who won a seat in the November election by getting more votes than incumbent member Tracy Wilkie.

Following the school committee swearing in, members of the Agawam City Council took the stage to be sworn in. Returning members of the council included Christopher Johnson, Cecilia Calabrese, George Bitzas, Paul Cavallo, Gina Letellier, Dino Mercadante, Robert Rossi, Rosemary Sandlin and Anthony Suffriti.

Before the ceremony began, Bitzas told Reminder Publishing the Jan. 6 swearing in marked his 16th time taking the oath to serve the people of Agawam.

New members on the council included Gerald Smith and Mario Tedeschi Jr. Smith and Tedeschi filled the seats left by former Councilor Joseph Mineo, who decided not to run for reelection after 20 years of serving on the council, and former Councilor Robert MaGovern who didn’t earn enough votes during the November election to win a seat on the council.

Immediately following their swearing in, members of the city council hosted their first meeting of the year to elect their president and vice president. All members of the council unanimously voted for Johnson as council president and Calabrese as vice president. The city council will meet next on Jan. 20.