FITCHBURG — After Sam Squailia was sworn into her second two-year term as the city’s mayor on Thursday evening, she vowed to continue working hard for the people from all walks of life who call Fitchburg home.
“I am mindful of the trust put in me,” the lifelong city resident said at the Jan. 8 inauguration ceremony held at Fitchburg State University, adding that she remains committed to the litany of “duties and responsibilities I do not take lightly.”
Squailia was sworn into office by City Clerk Joanna Bilotta-Simeone along with a number of city councilors and school committee members, people elected to their positions by voters in the November election.
Fitchburg Public Schools Director of Finance and Operations Jeremy Roche emceed the event and called the city “a unique and special place.”
“Our people make our city great,” said Roche, who previously served as the principal of Fitchburg High School for over a decade.
He went on to praise the people who step up to serve their community in official capacities, including those on the stage who he said are “working daily to help make our citizen’s lives the best they can be.”
The city’s joint first responder honor guard presented the colors at the beginning of the ceremony followed by city youth football players and cheerleaders leading the pledge of allegiance and Fitchburg Police Officer Jacob Boivin performing a soulful a cappella rendition of the national anthem.
Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge noted “the difficult but rewarding work” those who serve in an official capacity do for their constituents and the city in general and thanked them for their service.
“You’ve stepped forward to accept a significant responsibility,” she said, emphasizing that FSU remains a committed partner to the city.
Hodge went on to say that the potential that comes with the everyone being on the same page and striving for the greater good for all is “limitless” — and that FSU remains committed to “working together to make this city a beacon for all.”
“Collaboration is the key to this city’s future,” she said.
Squailia received a standing ovation after she was sworn in by Bilotta-Simeone following all of the city councilors and school committee members who were present also being sworn in before state Rep. Mike Kushmerek, D-Fitchburg, took the mic.
“The antidote to these times of division has been here all along,” Kushmerek said of Squailia and all those who dedicate their time to serving the city and its residents.
Roche spoke about Fitchburg being a melting pot, sharing that there are 40 different cultures and nations represented among Fitchburg Public Schools students before a group of Fitchburg High School students took to the stage to perform traditional Hispanic dances.
The program was filled with multicultural moments like that, including a performance by FHS student Diego Alejandro Guatu’niki Barahona and prayers by two different faith leaders — Fitchburg Ahmadiyya Muslim Community President Furqan Mehmud and Elm Street Community Church Pastor Steve Mayo.
During her inaugural address Squailia thanked Hodge and FSU for “walking with the city as a true partner” as well as the “men and women who keep the city running,” including fire, police, other public safety workers, department heads and other staff.
The mayor gave a shoutout to the school committee members, city councilors, and local and state officials for their dedication to the city and reminded people that there are many variables on the city, state and federal levels when it comes to running a city like Fitchburg.
“The national layer is affecting our families dramatically,” Squailia said of the fiscal aspect alone, adding that federal budget cuts which have trickled down to the state level have left them with “less breathing room” for programs and services and such. She conveyed that it’s important to “stay grounded in the ideals and values that built this country and city” — including “freedom” — and that “our job is to learn from that history.”
“Government must be practical and accountable,” she said, adding that communities like Fitchburg “have obligations” to its residents when it comes to providing education, infrastructure and community resources — and that she remains committed to upholding those.
“We will keep building an economy that works for everyone,” Squailia said before talking about Fitchburg being a “diverse” city that was “built by workers … educators, artists … immigrants” and making a clear statement about the current political climate in the country — “We will not important division into our local lives.”
“We have real capacity and incredible potential … [and] we will set a civic tone. We all want a more prosperous community.”
Squailia closed out her remarks by saying “We will be judged by how we treat one another.”
“Fitchburg will accept anyone who wants to good neighbor.”
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