First Woman Mayor Takes Oath Of Office In Newtown Borough

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Tara Grunde-McLaughlin made history on Tuesday, taking the oath of office as the borough’s first woman mayor.

A small gathering of friends and politicians was on hand to witness the moment inside the Newtown Borough Hall as District Judge Michael "Mick" Petrucci swore in the new mayor.

The former borough councilor won November’s contested mayoral race by defeating another former councilor, Nicole Rodowicz, by less than 22 votes. Grunde-McLaughlin ran on the Democratic ticket while Rodowicz ran as an independent on the Republican ticket.

"It feels good that we now have a woman as mayor, whether it was me or my opponent," said Grunde-McLaughlin of breaking the glass ceiling. "I'm glad that's where we are at as a town, and I look forward to a time where it's not a question or an issue."

She continued, "I'm grateful and honored for the community's support, and I'm honored to be the mayor of Newtown. I recognize the importance and depths of this role, and I will do my very best for the borough," she promised. "I'm excited to get to work."

Her chief duties as mayor will include working with the emergency services, including the police, fire, and EMS departments; serving as a liaison to the town's business community; and representing the town as an ambassador.

In attendance at the historic swearing-in ceremony are, from left, council vice president Gina Tognini, State Senator Steve Santarsiero, Mayor Tara Grunde-McLaughlin, Judge Petrucci, councilor Julia Woldorf, and council president Emily Heinz. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The new mayor with Judge Petrucci. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

"I have thought a lot about the things I can do," she said. "I know I have limitations as far as the role of a mayor in a borough in Pennsylvania, but I also know there's a lot of flexibility and a lot of ways I can represent and advocate for the borough and work with the business community."

One of the more challenging issues on her plate will be to help secure a fire protection agreement between the borough and the township that provides "a positive outcome for everybody" going forward.

Grunde-McLaughlin served for a decade on council, including stints as vice president and president and liaison to the recreation board, Zoning Hearing Board, shade tree commission, Environmental Advisory Council, traffic committee, planning commission, budget and finance committee, police committee, and fire services committee.

Before joining the council, she spent six years on the Recreation Board.

Grunde-McLaughlin succeeds Mayor John Burke, who decided not to run for another term.

“Newtown has indeed never before elected a woman as mayor - a rather notable occasion,” she said following her election in November. “Now that we have done so, I look forward to future elections when it is expected as part of the normal course of events.”