Ward 6 Councilor Megan Stott Tabbed As City Council President

SALEM, MA — Three years after Megan Stott's first bid for the Salem City Council was decided by one vote and survived a months-long court challenge, the Ward 6 councilor was picked to lead the Council as its president for 2023 Wednesday night.

On the night when Mayor Kim Driscoll gave her farewell address and resigned her post after 17 years to be inaugurated as the state's new lieutenant governor on Thursday, and three-time Council President Robert McCarthy was unanimously chosen as the city's acting mayor through the end of what would have been Driscoll's term, Stott took the gavel and presided over the meeting after she was selected via a 9-0-2 vote.

"Our differences are what make us unique and got us in these seats," Stott said in addressing the Council. "But as the past year has shown, our ability to work through those differences and find consensus — or close to it — is what makes us stronger."

"I am grateful that we can have those difficult conversations with respect toward one another. I promise to stay the course, continue our momentum, and support each of you."

Stott, who handily won re-election to her seat this past November, said she will remain committed toward accessibility and transparency as Council president in guiding a Council that she said "will be a constant next year in a transitional year."

"Change is not easy," she said. "It is confusing and often messy. But, oh, do I love it. I don't believe that our role is to maintain the status quo and minimize change. I love that we are questioning the status quo — changing those barriers that were written before us.

"I am confident that we can embrace our storied history, and celebrate it, while moving forward together to ensure that Salem is the inclusive, welcoming and vibrant home we are all working toward."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)