New Mayor to Be Appointed Tuesday

 A "smooth" transition into Belmont's next mayor is anticipated at Tuesday night's City Council meeting, with Vice Mayor Coralin Feierbach the likely choice, according to Councilman Dave Warden.

Feierbach, however, said she isn't assuming anything and though she would enjoy being mayor again -- she served as mayor in 1999 and 2007 -- she emphasized there's no city rule that states the vice mayor will become mayor.

"Anybody could be mayor the next time," Feierbach said. "Why should I make that assumption?"

Both Feierbach and Warden said the position of mayor is mostly ceremonial, and that all five councilmembers share the power of the City Council.

"It's not a mayor-run town," Feierbach said.

The mayor is, however, tasked with creating the agenda for City Council meetings, she added.

Each member of the City Council has previously served as mayor. David Braunstein was mayor in 2009, Warren Lieberman in 2008, and Warden was the 2005 mayor. Christine Wozniak is the 2010 mayor.

Belmont mayors are appointed annually by fellow councilmembers at either the Council meeting following the most recent November election or at the second November City Council meeting if no Council election occurred, as in this year's case.

Warden said the role of mayor generally rotates amongst the elected councilmembers each year.

"People kind of know who's turn it is," he said. "I don't see any reason why Coralin wouldn't be mayor; it's basically her turn."

The Council meeting will be held on Tuesday at City Hall, located at 1 Twin Pines Lane.