So nice, he’ll do it twice! Mayor James J. Fiorentini will be sworn in for his eighth term on Monday along with the rest of Haverhill’s city government—but when he takes the oath of office from Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, it’ll just be for show.
In place since 1967, Haverhill’s city charter stipulates both when and how the ceremony must take place.
“The oath may be administered by the city clerk or by a justice of the peace and a certificate thereof shall be entered in the journal of the city council,” the city charter’s section C-17 reads in part.
As a result, Fiorentini will be sworn-in officially in private.
Fiorentini intends to use Polito’s visit to highlight Haverhill’s participation in a new state program aimed at increasing housing options.
He’ll also announce a new Master Zoning Plan on New Year’s Day. The most recent plan was drafted in 1995 and Fiorentini’s update will survey the city’s land use, transportation and education needs and economic development.
“New development should be about making the city stronger today, but also about protecting our future,” Fiorentini said.
The plan is expected to take 10 months to draft and will include feedback from local residents, business owners and Master Plan Review Committee of experts.