Cranston’s inaugural activities will take place on Jan. 2 in Cranston High School West’s auditorium. Starting at 7 p.m., this event will mark the ceremonial swearing in of City Council and School Committee members for the 2023-2025 term.

The city’s charter requires that the inauguration takes place on the first Monday of the new year.

Councilwoman Jessica Marino, who’s helped coordinate the program, said the council, municipal court judges and probate judge will be sworn in by retired First Circuit Court judge O. Rogeriee Thompson who’s a Cranston resident; Mayor Ken Hopkins will swear in school committee members and bring greetings from the city while a priest provides the invocation.

After members are sworn in, the City Council will then hold its first meeting of the new term where the elected body will select a president and vice president and appoint committee chairs, Municipal Court judges, lawyer and budget analyst.

The ceremony makes an in-person return after the 2020 inauguration that was held virtually due to the pandemic’s gathering restrictions and social distancing requirements. While Mayor Ken Hopkins took his oath in City Hall’s Council Chambers, council members were sworn in via Zoom while the public watched through livestreams. Prior to the virtual inauguration, the event has traditionally been held at Cranston High School East, Cranston High School West or the city’s senior center.

Marino said the last inauguration was a historic moment since it was the first time women held four out of the nine seats on the council. Since the event was held over Zoom, she thinks the significance of this accomplishment was overlooked and hopes it is recognized this inauguration.

City Council members to be sworn in include citywide members Robert Ferri (D), Jessica Marino (D) and Nicole Renzulli (R); Ward 1 councilwoman Lammis Vargas (D); Ward 2 councilwoman Aniece Germain (D); Ward 3 councilman John Donegan (D); Ward 4 councilman Richard Campopiano (R); Ward 5 councilman Chris Paplauskas (R); Ward 6 councilman Matt Reilly (R). All elected members have returned for another term.

Non-partisan School Committee members to be sworn in on Jan. 2 include citywide member Michael Traficante; Ward 1 member Keith Catone; Ward 2 member Kristen Haroian; Ward 3 member Domenic Fusco; Ward 4 member Frank Ritz; Ward 5 member Tera Norberg and Ward 6 member Anthony Melillo. Ritz, Norberg and Melillo are new to the committee..