WESTBROOK—Ideas – the good, the bad and the unconventional – was the theme of the evening at the 2016 inauguration of the city’s new administration on Monday.

Mayor Mike Sanphy promised to listen to the varying perspectives of his constituents, and City Council President Brendan Rielly lauded fellow city officials for their ability to present new ideas to face growing challenges.

Now, the council, which includes new members Ann Peoples and Lynda Adams, both of whom are experienced in local government, will work to bring those perspectives together.

“I would also like to thank those of you who participated in the election but may not have voted for me,” Sanphy said after thanking his supporters. “I am now your mayor too, and I want to hear your ideas, opinions and perspectives on the many issues we face as a community.”

During his appointment of city department heads, Sanphy made no changes, but he announced, to some surprise, that he is straying from the mayoral norm of hosting an inaugural ball to celebrate the new administration. Instead, he said, he’ll host an inaugural reception in January.

The 2016 inaugural ceremonies at the Westbrook High School auditorium saw the swearing in of the new mayor, as well as City Council and School Committee members who won seats in November.

On the council, Peoples and Adam are no strangers to city government.

Peoples, who replaces outgoing longtime councilor Michael Foley, served two stints as a councilor from 1994-96 and from 2003-05, with a long tenure on the Planning Board in between, from 1996-2003. She also served as a Westbrook representative in the Legislature from 2008-2014.

Adams, who ran unopposed for Sanphy’s Ward 5 council seat, had previously been Westbrook city clerk from 2008-2014, both when it was an appointed and an elected position. She was an assistant to the city clerk and assistant to the fire chief throughout the 1990s.

The School Committee, with three members re-elected, saw no changes.

Former Mayor Colleen Hilton, who attended the ceremony, said Sanphy is fortunate to have such an experienced council, which can help make the transition easier.

“I continue to offer my support to the new mayor and the leadership, and if I can help in anyway, I will be glad to do so,” she said in an email to the American Journal on Tuesday.

Sanphy, with decades of service to the city, remarked on his experience Monday, recapping his 40 years as a Westbrook police officer and simultaneous 20 years at the fire department.

“While my new title may be mayor, my job remains civil servant,” he said.

Rielly, who was unanimously supported to remain as council president, also spoke about experience and collaboration during his appointments to the various council committees. Rielly selected John O’Hara, the longest tenured councilor, to be the council’s new vice president, saying that O’Hara has consistently forwarded fresh ideas during his years on the council. He said those have included ideas that, at the time, were considered out-of-the-box.

“Many of the things you like about this city probably came from one of John’s ideas,” Rielly told the audience.

Rielly added that when he joined the council, he and O’Hara butted heads on a number of issues, but were able to move on and work together. He said he hopes the new council can do so as well.

During his address, Sanphy also said he’s ready to work with anyone.

“I work with people, resolving issues through communication, understanding and cooperation,” he said. “I am open to all ideas and perspectives and strongly believe that decisions reached through open communication and understanding achieve the best results.”

Foley, who served on the council for 11 years, starting at age 18, had some advice for the new council. In working on countless projects over the years, “serving the community has taught me valuable lessons,” he said. He told the incoming officials that courage to make tough decisions is important, that they should rely on professional city staff for help, and to encourage youth to participate. Foley did not seek re-election in November.

Rielly’s daughter, Maura Rielly, was selected Monday as the City Council student representative.

Sanphy said he wants the city to be accessible and responsive to everyone, to manage the development growth and change in Westbrook in a positive way, and to keep the city affordable. He also pledged to work closely with fellow Democrat Michael Shaughnessy and independent James Tranchemontagne, who he beat for the mayor’s seat.

“I look forward to working with all of you to make Westbrook the very best it can be,” he said.

Mayor Mike Sanphy gives his inauguration speech Monday at the Westbrook High School auditorium. He promised to listen to constituent ideas.

Mayor Mike Sanphy signs his oath of office following the inaugural ceremonies at Westbrook High School on Monday. Deputy City Clerk Ashley Rand did the honors.

Mayor Mike Sanphy is sworn in by City Clerk Angela Holmes on Monday.

Council President Brendan Rielly, who ran unopposed for re-election this year, praised his fellow councilors during his appointment announcements Monday, and said he hopes the council will continue its collaborative approach to tough issues.

The new mayor, City Council and School Committee were sworn in Monday during Westbrook’s inaugural ceremonies, which also featured music from the Westbrook City Band.