Christopher Keefe retains seat as president on Westfield City Council

The key Legislative and Ordinance Committee was expanded from 3 to 5 members.

Manon Mirabelli photoWestfield city councilors are sworn into office by City Clerk Karen M. Fanion during a ceremony Tuesday morning in the Westfield Vocational Technical High School auditorium.

WESTFIELD – As expected, Ward 1 City Councilor Christopher Keefe received unanimous support of his colleagues for a second term as president of the City Council.

“I enjoyed being president for the past year and I am looking forward to this second year. I appreciate your unanimous vote,” Keefe said following his re-election at Tuesday’s City Council reorganization.

Most city councilors said last week that Keefe did an “outstanding job” as president during 2011 and deserved a second term.

The council’s reorganization meeting followed inauguration ceremonies earlier Tuesday at Westfield Vocational-Technical High School.

City Clerk Karen M. Fanion administered the oath of office to Mayor Daniel M. Knapik, the 13 members of the City Council as well as members of the School Committee, Municipal Light Board and Athenaeum trustee Alberta Humason.

The swearing in ceremony featured new City Council member Agma Maria Sweeney and former Councilor James R. Adams.

Christopher Keefe

Keefe announced he expanded membership on the council’s Legislative and Ordinance Committee to five members to avoid any lack of quorum in future meetings of that important committee.

“We have not had a problem with quorums but this is an effort to make sure it will not happen. That is a very important committee and there are important issues coming up this year that will require their attention,” the president said.

Ward 2 Councilor James E. Brown Jr. retained his seat as chairman of the Legislative and Ordinance. Serving with him will be Councilors Patti A. Andras, Mary L. O’Connell, Adams and John J. Beltrandi III.

Ward 5 Councilor Richard E. Onofrey Jr. retained his seat as chairman of the Finance Committee and rejoining him this year are Councilors Christopher M. Crean and David A. Flaherty.

Keefe said few, if any, changes were made in membership on other standing committees.

Sweeney, an aide to U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst, was appointed chairman of the council’s Government Relations Committee. Joining her are Andras and Councilor Peter J. Miller who is chief of staff for state Sen. Michael R. Knapik, R-Westfield.