Published in the February 9, 2018 edition

MELROSE — It took quite awhile, but the city’s 22nd mayor finally is a woman.

Gail M. Infurna, the 20-year representative of Ward 5 on the Board of Aldermen, took the oath of office Monday morning and will serve just under two years as the city’s chief executive officer.

As well-wishers, supporters, family members and others crammed into the Aldermanic Chamber at City Hall, Infurna was sworn in by her uncle, former Methuen state Rep. Lawrence  Giordano.

DURING A CEREMONY Monday, Gail Infurna became the city’s 22nd mayor. The oath of office was given by her uncle, former Methuen state Rep. Lawrence Giordano.

Infurna became mayor under unique circumstances. Her predecessor, Rob Dolan, was picked as Lynnfield’s top municipal professional in December, and resigned in the middle of the four-year term he was elected to. When it became known that Dolan might get a new job, Infurna successfully ran for aldermanic president. Under the City Charter, if the mayor’s position becomes vacant in the second half of a term, the current aldermanic president becomes mayor.

Before being selected aldermanic president on Jan. 8, those running for the post — Infurna, Mike Zwirko, John Tramontozzi and Monica Medeiros — had a chance to address their colleagues. Infurna said she would not seek election to the post when the mayoral term is up in 2019. She further explained that she looked forward to working with the Dolan administrative team and was more than qualified to do the job of mayor.

This week, in very brief remarks, Infurna said that being sworn in as the city’s leader reminded her of the feeling she had when she graduated from nursing school, when she got married, when she became a mother. “And I’m still beaming,” she offered.

She mentioned her late husband, and how he knew better than to stop her from trying to do something she had set her mind to.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity,” she told the overflowing audience. She thanked Dolan, the aldermen, all city department heads (many of whom were at Monday’s ceremony), staff and Melrose residents

To the last group she said her office door “is always open.”

She then concluded by saying, “Let the work begin,” to a big round of applause.