PITTSFIELD – Town councilors began the new year by electing veteran Councilor Charles Cianchette as mayor. Cianchette is serving his second three-year term on the council, which followed a stint on the SAD 53 board of directors.

Before that, Cianchette served an additional two terms on the council. He is also a trustee of Sebasticook Valley Hospital.

Robert Stackhouse was elected deputy mayor. The current deputy mayor, Peter “Andi” Vigue, declined to seek the position. Vigue said since he and Cianchette work together, there may be times when both are out of town on business.

Two councilors elected in November, Debra Billings and Michael Gray, were sworn in and seated.

The eight-page agenda was handled efficiently and in less than an hour and a half. Most business was completed without discussion or comment.

The council:

. Set a public hearing for Jan. 21 regarding a new user fee system for other towns using the Pittsfield Recycling Center to help offset expenditures, a program that could provide an additional $20,000.

. Sold the former Big Dog Diner to Alden and Mary Ellen Simons, who plan to open a family-style restaurant later in the year after the Main Street building has been renovated. The closing on the $22,500 sale is scheduled for today.

. Established an Economic Development Committee to assist town officials with marketing strategies and tasks.

. Approved the purchase of a $21,203 police cruiser from Augusta Ford and put a lengthy list of town equipment out to bid.

. Acknowledged that redistricting the town may be necessary due to population shifts and agreed to advertise for volunteers for a redistricting commission. The last redistricting, in 1993, resulted in boundary changes for several of the town’s four districts to equalize the population.

. Agreed to sell a tax-acquired property on Middle Street, most recently EZ Cycle, with other properties listed for sale. Town Manager Kathryn Ruth will take a closer look at the building, however, after Assistant Fire Chief Dean Billings suggested it would make an excellent storage facility for the spare police cruiser and the fire department’s vintage Seagraves firetruck.