PEABODY — Three new councilors will take their place at City Hall in January.
Mark O’Neill won an open seat in Ward 6 over Michael Geomelos, while Ryan Melville and School Committee member Tom Rossignoll took advantage of two open at-large spots on the council during Tuesday’s municipal election.
Incumbents Ed Charest in Ward 4 and Joel Saslaw in Ward 5 were returned to office, while incumbent Councilors-at-Large Anne Manning-Martin, David Gravel, and Thomas Gould also won reelection.
Melville said that as a first-time candidate, he was thrilled that voters put their trust in him.
“When we announced in February that we were running, we knew we were getting into something that we did not think would be easy, and it wasn’t,” said Melville. “We had to work hard, but I am grateful and looking forward to serve.
O’Neill also credited his victory in Ward 6 to hard work and the dedication of a number of volunteers.
“I’m looking forward to moving the city of Peabody forward,” O’Neill said.
Gould topped the at-large race, followed by Gravel, Manning-Martin, Rossignoll, and Melville.
Manning-Martin and Gravel celebrated at Gallo Nero on Main Street as both earned a sixth term in office.
“I’m very humbled and pleased that voters have the confidence in me to serve them for another two years,” said Manning-Martin. “I intend to use my experience to continue to keep an eye on every detail and the quality of life in the city.”
Gravel said he was thrilled in the vote of confidence that returned him to office. In addition to focusing on downtown development in his next term, Gravel said he is looking forward to his role as the chairman of an ad hoc committee charged with revising the city charter.
In the School Committee race, incumbents Beverley Ann Griffin-Dunne and Jarrod Hochman will be joined on the board by newcomer Andrew Arnotis, a 2012 graduate of Peabody High School.
Arnotis said he ran to make it clear that a new voice and a positive influence could make a difference in the city that he loves.
Dunne, who has served on the School Committee since 2003, said she continues to have a passion for making a difference in the schools.
“I really want to make the schools the best they can be,” she said.
Dunne and Hochman were both on hand at City Hall as the returns came in and congratulated Arnotis for his hard work and victory.
Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr. ran unopposed and returns to office for a fourth term.
In other races, incumbent Municipal Light Commissioners Thomas D’Amato and William Aylward were returned to office. Dianne Gagnon Caputo, Kate O’Brien, Thomas Pappas, Frances Gallugi, and Sandra Fecteau were elected library trustees.
