Sapelli formally sworn in as city’s new mayor

Date: 1/11/2018

AGAWAM – Although William P. Sapelli’s first official day as Agawam’s new mayor began on Jan. 2, a formal ceremony for his inauguration was conducted at the Roberta G. Doering Middle school five days later.

On Jan. 7, the Agawam High School marching band set the stage as Sapelli and members from the City Council and School Committee were sworn in.

The event was attended by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, state Sen. Donald Humason, state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga and others.

During the ceremony, the recently retired superintendent took some time to reflect on his campaign – which was largely based on the idea of changing the negative tone associated with Agawam politics.

“Public service is an interesting endeavor,” he told the audience. “I learned more about character and about people skills during this campaign than I had learned in my 40 years of public education – and people warned me about that, but, until you’re in the middle of it, you don’t really know.”

Sapelli soundly defeated former Agawam City Council President James P. Cichetti in the Nov. 7 election – winning 68.5 percent of the 7,832 votes cast in the election. His run for mayor marked the end of his longtime career as an educator in Agawam Public Schools.

The new mayor also said he looks forward to continuing his relationship with the School Committee and working with the city councilors.

“We talk about a mayor leading a town, but you can’t do it as one person – you couldn’t do it as a superintendent you certainly can’t do it as a mayor,” said Sapelli. “I’m only as good as those people around me. I’m only as good as our council and our school committee, and if we don’t work together collectively then we’re not going to be successful. I feel very comfortable working with these individuals.”

The three new members of the City Council are Rosemary Sandlin, Robert A. Magovern and Dino R. Mercadante. The re-elected members are Christopher C. Johnson, Cecilia P. Calabrese, Robert E. Rossi, George Bitzas, Paul C. Cavallo, Gina M. Letellier, Anthony R. Suffriti and Joseph Mineo.

The School Committee members are Shelley Borgatti-Reed, Wendy Rua, Anthony Bonavita, Camino Mineo, Kerri O' Connor and Tracy Wilkie. The mayor serves as chairman of the committee.