Brewer councilors tap new mayor

BREWER – The five-member Brewer City Council unanimously appointed Gail Kelly as mayor Tuesday during its annual transitional meeting. Michael Celli, who finished his duties as mayor Tuesday, took the reins as deputy mayor at the same meeting.

Kelly, who has been on the City Council for a year, said goals for her term as mayor included completing the transition of the Brewer Water District “to the auspices of the city”, she said.

Another goal is to increase business development to help reduce property taxes and create jobs, and a third goal is to “see waterfront development at a pace that suits the needs of Brewer,” Kelly said.

Kelly also called for her home city to continue to work with Bangor to combine buying power for supplies and services. “As a team, the two cities can and will make the dreams and goals for the waterfront come to fruition,” Kelly said to applause.

Kelly, 52, is married and has a grown son and daughter-in-law. She said she will continue her work as the regional representative for U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, a job she has held for 16 years.

Sworn into office during the ceremonial meeting were Joseph Ferris, a local lawyer, who won a seat on the City Council after completing two terms on the Brewer school committee. Ferris replaces Donna Thornton, who opted not to run for another City Council term.

Mark Farley was sworn in for his first term and Mary Ann McGuire was sworn in to her fifth term on the Brewer school committee. Philip Griffin was sworn in as a Brewer High School district trustee.

It was announced that the Brewer school committee had chosen Mark Chambers to serve his second term as chairman.

In other action, outgoing Mayor Celli received recognition for his service to the city. Councilors Larry Doughty and Celli were appointed to lead an ad hoc committee to interview members for planning boards and committees.

Close to 100 people attended the brief meeting held in a special functions room at the Brewer Auditorium.

Teacher Amy Reif’s third-grade class from the Washington Street School led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, then sang the “Star Spangled Banner.”