Hamilton still president, Aguiar selected VP of Portsmouth council

PORTSMOUTH — There’s a new council in town.

A swearing-in ceremony was held Monday night at Town Hall for candidates elected to Town Council, School Committee and the office of town clerk.

Although there are three new faces on the council — the husband-and-wife Democratic duo of Linda L. Ujifusa and J. Mark Ryan, plus former council member Paul F. Kesson, a Republican — the panel will retain the same political balance. Like its predecessor, this panel is made up of three Democrats, three Republicans and one independent. 

Besides Ms. Ujifusa, Mr. Ryan and Mr. Kesson, R.I. District Court Associate Judge J. Terence Houlihan, Jr. also gave the oath of office to incumbents Keith E. Hamilton and Elizabeth A. Pedro, both Republicans; Democrat Kevin M. Aguiar; and David M. Gleason, an independent. 

Also sworn in Monday was Jennifer M. West, a Democrat who defeated Republican incumbent Joanne M. Mower at the polls for the town clerk’s job. It may have been the last time for voters to select the clerk, since a local ballot question approved Nov. 8 made the position an appointed one.

Shortly after she took the oath of office and the new council was seated, Ms. West performed her first official task as town clerk: calling for nominations for council president and vice president.

Mr. Aguiar nominated Mr. Hamilton as president, a title he’s held for the past two years, and it was approved unanimously.

For council vice president, Ms. Pedro nominated Mr. Kesson, citing the high number of votes he received in the election. (Mr. Kesson got 3,922 votes — second only to Mr. Hamilton, who had 4,462.) Mr. Gleason seconded the motion, but it failed 4-3 with Mr. Gleason, Ms. Pedro and Mr. Kesson voting in favor.

Ms. Ujifusa then nominated Mr. Aguiar, saying he had prior experience as a chairman during his time on the Zoning Board of Review. Having a Republican as president and a Democrat as vice president would also help promote a spirit of bipartisanship, she said.

Mr. Ryan seconded the motion, which passed 6-1. Ms. Pedro voted against the motion.

Four incumbents on the School Committee who ran unopposed were also sworn in Monday night: Emily A. Copeland, Terri-Denise Cortvriend, Andrew V. Kelly and Allen J. Shers. 

Two goodbyes

Before the new council was sworn in, two outgoing members said their goodbyes.

Joseph Robicheau, a Republican who did not choose to run for another term, thanked the citizens for their support and said it was an honor to serve them. 

“I wish you all good luck. Godspeed, God bless America, God bless Portsmouth and … that’s it,” Mr. Robicheau said.

Also leaving the council is James A. Seveney, as he’s moving on to the General Assembly. Mr. Seveney defeated incumbent John A. Pagliarini, Jr.  for the District 11 Senate seat.

“It’s a bittersweet moment,” said the Democrat, who’s served a total of 12 years on the council. “I’m glad that the citizens of Portsmouth let me sit here. I hope I gave something back because I’ve sure taken a lot away from this whole experience and I will miss it. I’m not going far; you will not be rid of me.” 

Both Mr. Seveney and Mr. Robicheau were presented with General Assembly citations for their service by Rep. Dennis M. Canario (D-Dist. 71) and Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70).

Objection to previous council’s business

Before the new Town Council members were sworn in Monday night, the previous council still had a bit of business to finish, although its right to do so was questioned by one resident.

The council was in the middle of a discussion on an “old business” item on the agenda — a request for approval of an ordinance allowing the town to borrow about $12.4 millionce for the construction of the voter-approved new police station, as well as other items — when it heard an objection from Leonard B. Katzman.

Mr. Katzman, who chairs the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee and made an unsuccessful bid for council, said that under the Town Charter, the new council should be taking up the matter of issuing the tax-exempt bond.

“I don’t believe it’s proper for the old council to be doing business,” he said to applause from some in the audience.

Ms. Pedro agreed, and said the matter should be tabled until the next meeting.

Mr. Seveney, however, said everything was being done above board.

“We have an agenda,” he said. “It was established within the open meeting requirements. We are still sworn officers of the town and can make decisions up until our replacements are sworn in.” 

Town Solicitor Kevin Gavin said he agreed that the current council had authority until the new members were seated.

Mr. Hamilton added that if action on the $12.4 million bond were delayed, the town could be paying a higher interest rate on the loan.

The council voted 4-2 to approve the ordinance, with Ms. Pedro and Mr. Robicheau against the motion.