James J. Fiorentini was sworn in to his first term as mayor of Haverhill on Jan. 5, 2004. On January 6, 2014, he took his sixth
oath to office from Congresswoman Niki Tsongas.
The inauguration ceremony was held as in the past, in the Nicholas J. Ross Auditorium on Haverhill City Hall’s second floor. The Haverhill High School played the inauguration processional as the mayor, School Committee and city councilors enter the auditorium.
Along with the Mayor, City Councilors John A. Michitson, Robert H. Scatamacchia, Melinda E. Barrett, William J. Macek,
William H. Ryan, Thomas J. Sullivan, Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien, Michael G. McGonagle and Colin F. LePage were sworn in.
Also sworn in were Members of the School Committee Joseph J. Bevilacqua, Maura L Ryan-Ciardiello and Paul A. Magliocchetti. The nine city councilors and all three School Committee members were sworn in by City Clerk Linda Koutoulas.
At the ceremony, Tsongas said she was honored of administering the oath of office to Haverhill Mayor Jim Fiorentini.
“As the longest serving mayor in the city’s history, Mayor Fiorentini has been a strong and dedicated leader for Haverhill.
The residents hold him in high regard due to his accessibility and commitment to the community, and have continuously placed
their trust in him to expand opportunities and grow their city.
“Mayor Fiorentini’s efforts have resulted in progress for Haverhill’s schools, businesses and infrastructure, and have laid the foundation for continued economic development in the years to come. He is a dedicated public servant and I was honored to be a part of his inauguration ceremony today.
“I congratulate Mayor Fiorentini and look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of the City of Haverhill,” ended Tsongas.
In the first working session right after being sworn in, the councilors took a vote and elect John A. Michitson as Council President and Robert H. Scatamacchia as Vice-president, both unanimously. The Rev. Suzy Goodspeed, chaplain at Merrimack Valley Hospital did the Invocation while the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by Gerard Boucher, Sr. Vice Commander, DAV and the National Anthem was sung by the Haverhill High School Chorus.
Cristino and Josefina Ynfante of the St. James Latin Choir performed a musical selection that impressed Rev. Robert W. Murray of St. John and St. James Parish. “Muy bonito, gracias,” (Beautiful, thank you) he told to Cristino and Josefina in Spanish before calling the audience to rise to pray for the new government. Rabbi Ira Korinow of Temple Emanu-el did the Benediction.
Soloist Alicia de La Guardia accompanied by guitarist Benjamin Goldbaum closed the event.
Immediately following the inauguration all in attendance were invited to a reception on the first floor outside the Mayor’s Office.
