BERLIN– A different sight ushered in the usually routine Mayor and Council meetings on Monday, Oct. 27.
Just after 7 p.m. Thom Gulyas, a towering man with a shaved head, glasses and a newly pressed suit, walked into the council chambers at Berlin’s town hall through the executive chamber doors, strode to the farthest council seat, flashed a quiet grin and sat down.
Gulyas replaced retiring Councilmember Paula Lynch, who only missed a handful of meetings during her 26 years of service.
Mayor Gee Williams swore in Gulyas and newly reelected District 4 Councilmember Dean Burrell as family and friends, lining the front rows of the audience, looked on.
Burrell acknowledged his wife, three children and three grandchildren in the audience, while Gulyas thanked his wife, son and his mother, retiring District 7 Worcester County Commissioner Louise Gulyas.
Williams took the occasion to thank Lynch for her service one last time.
“We are so grateful for 26 years of unbelievably faithful service,” he said.
“I just want to say one thing Thom,” Lynch said. “I hope you enjoy your time on the council as much as I did.”
“Yes ma’am, I will,” Gulyas said.
Gulyas’ first official motion was to approve a request for waiver of permit fees for the installation of bleachers at Henry Park. The motion passed unanimously.
During the mayor’s comments, Williams called serving on the council, “one of the most rewarding things you’ve done that doesn’t have much money to come with it. “I think you will find it extremely rewarding, and we look forward to your input and ideas,” he said.
“It’s like housework – thankless, but you’ll enjoy it,” added District 2 Councilmember Lisa Hall.
Gulyas asked Berlin Chamber of Commerce President Tom Sholtis to come up and, after a brief discussion, motioned for the town to close Washington Street during trick or treating on Friday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m., an extended measure of safety for the children of Berlin. Again, the motion passed unanimously.
Asked after the meeting about his first experience as a Berlin council member, Gulyas said simply, “it was awesome.”
Just after 7 p.m. Thom Gulyas, a towering man with a shaved head, glasses and a newly pressed suit, walked into the council chambers at Berlin’s town hall through the executive chamber doors, strode to the farthest council seat, flashed a quiet grin and sat down.
Gulyas replaced retiring Councilmember Paula Lynch, who only missed a handful of meetings during her 26 years of service.
Mayor Gee Williams swore in Gulyas and newly reelected District 4 Councilmember Dean Burrell as family and friends, lining the front rows of the audience, looked on.
Burrell acknowledged his wife, three children and three grandchildren in the audience, while Gulyas thanked his wife, son and his mother, retiring District 7 Worcester County Commissioner Louise Gulyas.
Williams took the occasion to thank Lynch for her service one last time.
“We are so grateful for 26 years of unbelievably faithful service,” he said.
“I just want to say one thing Thom,” Lynch said. “I hope you enjoy your time on the council as much as I did.”
“Yes ma’am, I will,” Gulyas said.
Gulyas’ first official motion was to approve a request for waiver of permit fees for the installation of bleachers at Henry Park. The motion passed unanimously.
During the mayor’s comments, Williams called serving on the council, “one of the most rewarding things you’ve done that doesn’t have much money to come with it. “I think you will find it extremely rewarding, and we look forward to your input and ideas,” he said.
“It’s like housework – thankless, but you’ll enjoy it,” added District 2 Councilmember Lisa Hall.
Gulyas asked Berlin Chamber of Commerce President Tom Sholtis to come up and, after a brief discussion, motioned for the town to close Washington Street during trick or treating on Friday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m., an extended measure of safety for the children of Berlin. Again, the motion passed unanimously.
Asked after the meeting about his first experience as a Berlin council member, Gulyas said simply, “it was awesome.”