Framingham Inauguration Day Proves Historic For City Council

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Monday marked a new year for people around the globe, but also a new beginning for the Framingham City Council.

New Year's Day served as the inauguration day for those who won election during the 2023 local cycle.

That also meant that the councilors elected leadership positions for the next two years.

The City Council re-elected District 6 City Councilor Phil Ottaviani Jr. as chair, and elected District 9 City Councilor Tracey Bryant as Vice Chair. Bryant is the first person of color to hold a leadership role on the council, and only the second woman to do so.

The City Council voted 6-3-2 to elect Ottaviani Chair.

Councilors George P. King Jr., Janet Leombruno, Brandon Ward, Michael Cannon, Noval Alexander and Bryant voted for Ottaviani. Councilors Christine Long, Leora Mallach and Leslie White Harvey voted for District 3 City Councilor Adam Steiner to be chair.

Ottaviani and Steiner abstained from the vote, based on a conflict of interest ruling.

While the leadership positions come with additional responsibilities, they also come with a slight bump in pay. The chair receives a $7,500 stipend while the 10 other members receive $5,000.

Councilors will submit their request for subcommittee service by this weekend, and those assignments should be known soon.

Ottaviani will also appoint three councilors to a temporary rules committee and another five to the finance subcommittee.