By JON BAKER

LINCOLN  ---  With all the pomp and circumstance of a June high school graduation, Tuesday night’s inauguration ceremony — conducted inside a two-thirds-filled LHS auditorium — brought forth an abundance of community spirit as newly-elected officials took their oaths.

It was only appropriate that former Gov. Lincoln Almond administered the “swearing-ins” not only to his nephew, Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond (elected in November to a second term), but also Town Council members Arthur S. Russo Jr., John W. Flynn, Keith E. Macksoud, James R. Jahnz and Ronald A. McKenna.
Also receiving their oaths were recently-elected School Committee members Tracey A. Cavanaugh, Elizabeth B. Robson, Maryanne H. Roll and Julie M. Zito, along with water commissioners Jean L. Kay and Frederick R. Conklin.
When all was said and done, the town had a new council president (McKenna of Manville); the same vice president (Jahnz, representing Albion, Quinville and a segment of Lime Rock); and an enthusiastic newcomer in Saylesville representative Russo.
“I will say I was surprised by it,” McKenna, an independent, said of the unanimous vote. “I didn’t ask for it, but some of the council members asked me if I’d be interested, and I said yes.”
Offered Russo, 35, who replaces Jeremiah T. O’Grady as the Saylesville councilman: “This was a great ceremony, and it’s an honor and privilege to be able to serve Lincoln. The town administrator highlighted some of the challenges we’ll face, and my goal is just to work with my fellow councilors to overcome them.”
Former police officer Reginald Packer presided over the fete, attended by several dignitaries including state Sen. Edward O’Neill of Lincoln and mayors Daniel McKee of Cumberland and Charles Lombardi of North Providence.
During his address, the town administrator thanked dozens of family members and community and school officials, stating “Looking back, Lincoln has established a solid history of effective services, outstanding schools and recreational programs, responsible business development, excellent fiscal health, stable taxes, safe and family-oriented neighborhoods and a strong sense of community pride.
“Our overall objective remains straightforward: We will work to improve upon an already great community,” he added.
His soliloquy immediately changed tone.
“The state of Rhode Island, along with many cities and towns, is facing extraordinary fiscal challenges unprecedented in our history,” Almond said. “State and local governments are facing substantial deficits, increasingly declining revenues, devastating cuts to services and enormous employee pension liabilities.”
Among the challenges Almond spelled out:
-- Shortfalls in state education aid, which he said has been drastically reduced and is currently undergoing restructuring.
-- The elimination of state general revenue sharing to cities and towns.
-- Avoiding significant cuts to municipal services, which he said are already conservatively funded and staffed.
-- And retaining “our well-earned surplus and restricted capital investment accounts. The state proposes to claim these monies through specific funding cuts. This will endanger our excellent bond ratings and penalize our community for practicing responsible fiscal management.”
Almond then called on the town’s Smith Hill delegation “to provide us the statutory tools to stabilize the cost of health care and pension systems, and restore management rights to elected officials.
“The proposed revenue sharing cuts are unacceptable, and will result in devastating cuts in local services. I know that (after) speaking with Lincoln’s state representatives and senators. They too will work hard to support the community they represent. I intend to work closely with them to advocate for our community.
“I am optimistic that we can employ an open mind, innovative spirit, intellectual honesty and a frank exchange of information with those we serve,” he added. “I am optimistic that -- together -- we will succeed in maintaining Lincoln’s standing as a great community, preserving our rural character and the unique heritage of our villages.”