The new year brought Newton into a new era, as Marc Laredo became the city’s 32nd mayor and several new City Council and School Committee members were sworn in for a new term on Thursday.

What the coming term will bring is anyone’s guess, but radiating from hundreds of smiles and amplified by thunderous applause from the packed City Council chamber was a sense of optimism rarely seen in the political arena these days.

And having the governor on the roster of speakers didn’t hurt.

“Alright, so now the real work begins,” Laredo said seconds after being sworn in by Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly Budd, also a Newton resident.

The ceremony had two themes, and the first was: Democracy is held together locally.

“Really, the essence of our democracy starts right here in this chamber, across the hall and at the School Committee building, where we do this important work,” Laredo said in his inaugural address.

Laredo has known the importance of democracy and human dignity since he was old enough to hear about his father’s family having fled Germany in the 1930s and his mother’s family having suffered under the oppression of both the Nazis and then the Soviets in Czechoslovakia.

Gov. Maura Healey commended those new to their roles, and those returning, and lauded them for stepping up and keeping democracy alive for another generation.

“When you think about the birth of American democracy, it really starts with local government, it was the people from towns and cities across what became Massachusetts who volunteered to defend their communities, who stepped up in the American Revolution,” Healey said.

Gov. Maura Healey speaks at Newton’s 2026 Inauguration ceremony on Jan. 1, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Budd quoted John Adams and French political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville on the impact access to town government had on readying the whole new nation for democracy.

“So as you embark on the enterprise of governing Newton, please bear in mind the historic significance of what you’re doing,” Budd said. “You’re not only making decisions about our schools, our zoning, our roads and other public amenities, you are carrying on the great tradition of local government, self-government, that helped to forge the foundation of our nation.”

The second theme of the day was: Mediocrity has no place in Newton’s government.

Laredo mentioned three pillars of his agenda for the next two years: providing an excellent education for the city’s kids, delivering “outstanding” city services, and “building community.”

“We will constantly be finding ways to do even better,” he said. “It means listening to and working with existing and new businesses to make Newton a welcoming and inviting place. It means using technology to make us more efficient and data to drive decision-making. It means being transparent with every decision we make and engaging and listening to our residents before we make decisions. It means prioritizing sustainability and resiliency in everything we do.”

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly Budd swears in Marc Laredo as mayor on Jan. 1, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

While “building community” may seem like vague flowery rhetoric, Laredo put emphasis on it in his inaugural address. He pledged to partner with Newton’s nonprofits and to elevate arts and culture like his predecessor, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, did before him. And he assured the crowd in the chamber and those at home watching via livestream that he would keep Newton a safe and inclusive place for everyone.

“At a time of great turmoil in other parts of our country, with loud, angry voices and a fundamental lack of respect for the rule of law, disregard for democratic values, and intolerance of others, Newton must be different,” Laredo said, met with a burst of applause. “Let me say it again, Newton must be different.”

Another thing that got universal applause: Laredo’s vow to have the city’s website improved.

New City Council President John Oliver said he was looking forward to digging into the work Laredo puts before him and the Council.

“And while some of the issues in front of us might seem smaller than some of the others, I’ll just remind you that the number one issue that everyone’s been arguing about in this city—and I would have never believed this had someone told me several years ago—the number one topic was the overnight parking ban,” he mused.

City Council President John Oliver delivers his inaugural speech on Jan. 1, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Whether it’s parking, planning or property taxes, though, Oliver said the Council has to welcome and listen to residents, city department heads, business owners and others. And that will be a major focus over the next two years.

“Newton is well-known for being a welcoming city. We have been, are, and will continue to be, a welcoming city,” Oliver said before receiving a standing ovation. “I’m going to encourage the City Council throughout this entire term to embrace that philosophy as we go through our work.”

And speaking of audience excitement, Ward 2 School Committee member Arrianna Proia’s family and friends showed up with big, joyful energy from Nonantum. When Proia was called up to sign the book, a crowd of people in the balcony stood and cheered.

“I don’t think that’s ever happened before,” Councilor David Micley leaned over and said to her.

You can watch the entire 2026 Inauguration on NewTV’s YouTube channel.