Chabot elected President of Tiverton Council

By Tom Killin Dalglish
Posted 11/30/16

TIVERTON — Town council member Joan Chabot, elected Nov. 8 to her fourth council term, was unanimously voted by her fellow council members Tuesday night to serve as town council president. …

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Chabot elected President of Tiverton Council

Posted

TIVERTON — Town council member Joan Chabot, elected Nov. 8 to her fourth council term, was unanimously voted by her fellow council members Tuesday night to serve as town council president.

Council member Denise deMedeiros, elected Nov. 8 to her third council term, was voted 5-2 (with herself and John Edwards abstaining) by the council members to serve as town council vice president.

Ms. Chabot was the only nominee (nominated by Councilor Randy Lebeau) for president. Ms. deMedeiros was nominated by Mr. Lebeau to serve as vice-president, and Ms. deMedeiros in turn nominated John Edwards for the position. 

Their election followed a group swearing in of all seven newly elected or re-elected town council members, the six newly elected budget committee members, and town officials (treasurer, judge of probate, town clerk).


"I really thank the people who voted for me allowing me to serve for another two years," Ms. Chabot said. She was first elected to the council in 2010, and for the last two years has served as council vice president.


Ms. deMedeiros, who had previously served as chairwoman of the school committee, was first elected to the council in 2012. She has served as council president for the past two years.
As part of Tuesday night's swearing-in ceremonies, outgoing council members were given an opportunity to offer comments. Councilor Dave Perry, who lost his bid for re-election, coming in in tenth place with 5.4 percent of the vote, was absent.
"Thanks to the 1,775 voters who voted for me. God bless you," said departing council member Joe Sousa, who garnered 4.9 percent of the vote on Nov. 8 and came in 13th in the voting. "I really enjoyed working with this council."
"I hope Mr. Lebeau can start fresh," Mr. Sousa said, as he held up a toilet set decorated with what looked like campaign stickers. Mr. Lebeau had given coffee mugs shaped like toilet seats to several of the elected council members, including Ms. deMedeiros and Ms.Chabot, and for the past several months, as part of his campaign, had displayed a large-toilet in front of his gun business on Main Road, saying Tiverton needed a flush.
"The only suggestion I would make, after eight years on the council," said outgoing councilor Jay Lambert (who came in 9th with 5.6 percent of the vote), "is that I would urge people to get involved. It's a bit tiring to see the same faces over and over again."
"Congratulations to those who were re-elected, and to those reaching public office for the first time,"
said councilor Brett Pelletier to the incoming new town councilors.
Mr. Pelletier was first elected to the council in 2010, and was retiring from the council, choosing not to run again.
"Try not to listen to the noise, and serve the community," he said. "It's time to roll up your sleeves."
"There is a lot I want to say about public service," he said. "Our public servants come from right here. Their service is righteous, and their commitment is true."

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