common council

Saint John’s new council’s first order of business will be to set priorities, says Mayor Donna Reardon.

The city’s new council will be sworn in on Monday evening.

In an interview with Acadia Broadcasting last Friday, Reardon said council will begin its work by addressing remaining projects from the last term and setting new priorities.

“Last time we set about six priorities. We will likely carry forward three of those priorities,” she said.

Reardon added some of the first projects may include incorporating Saint John Energy, continuing advocacy efforts to secure the city’s industrial tax, building the multiplex recreation centre and renovating Saint John’s ice rinks.

However, that will depend on what council decides.

City has seven new councillors

This is Reardon’s second term as mayor, but seven new councillors will be sworn in Monday evening.

The only incumbents returning are Ward 2 Coun. and Deputy Mayor John MacKenzie, Ward 1 Coun. Greg Norton and councillor-at-large Gary Sullivan.

RELATED: Reardon re-elected mayor of Saint John

Five incumbents chose not to run, while councillors Mariah Darling and Paula Radwan lost their seats to newcomers.

The new councillors include Ward 1 Coun. Sherri Colwell-McCavour, Ward 2 Coun. Brian Wyatt, Ward 3 councillors Eric Savoie and Ryan Moore, and Ward 4 councillors Paul Dempsey and David Merrithew.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Common Council Chamber in City Hall at 6:30 p.m., with the inaugural council meeting to follow at 7 p.m.

The inaugural meeting will be open to the public, while the swearing-in ceremony will be limited to the new councillors, their guest, and the media.

During the meeting, council will also elect the city’s new deputy mayor.