Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian is sworn in by Family Court Judge Haiganush R. Bedrosian, as Matthew Boulet, the son of a city worker who passed away recently, holds the Bible.

The Providence Journal Ruben W. Perez

WARWICK — Redcoats marched on City Hall last night, but it was not a British invasion. It was the measured steps of the Pawtuxet Rangers Fife & Drum Corps as it provided a splash of color and sense of history as Mayor Scott Avedisian was sworn in for his sixth term.

More than 350 people filled the City Council chambers for the ceremony that included the oath of office administered to the City Council and School Committee members.

The event, which consisted only of speeches and choral selections in the council chambers with no reception afterward, was austere compared to years past when parties and formal balls marked the start of new two-year mayoral administrations. Still top state officials, including Governor Carcieri, were in attendance to applaud Avedisian as he retained the helm of the state’s second-largest city.

“I always come here and say, ‘Scott, just keep going — keep doing what you’re doing,’ ” Carcieri said, looking out at the audience that included Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, General Treasurer Frank Caprio and Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis. Jurists and members of the General Assembly were also in attendance. And, in a sign that Warwick will continue to enjoy good relations and joint ventures with its municipal neighbors, newly elected Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung and longtime East Greenwich Town Manager William Sequino Jr. could be found in the front rows.

In his inaugural speech, Avedisian, who turns 44 this month, reminded residents that the city has much to celebrate.

Noting that yesterday was the day Armenians celebrate Christmas, he wished the audience and his family “Medz Avedis,” a traditional holiday greeting that means “I bring you good news.” He then proceeded to cite many of the good things that are happening in Warwick:

•The groundbreaking for an intermodal train station that will link T.F. Green Airport to rail and bus transportation, and represents a more than $120-million investment in the local economy.

•The arrival of new businesses including the NYLO Hotel in the historic Pontiac Mills and the opening of the state’s first Trader Joe’s on Route 2.

•And, the recent acquisition of 41 shoreline acres, which will be preserved as public open space at the site of the former Rocky Point amusement park.

Avedisian did not shy away from hard facts, such as the faltering economy, recurring school deficits and the need to find relief for taxpayers. With Carcieri expected to announce cuts in state aid to cities and towns this week, Avedisian criticized the approach.

“The current system of cutting funding to every community — even those that budget correctly and post surpluses — is archaic and unfair,” Avedisian said.

There were personal touches throughout the night. Avedisian was sworn in by his cousin, Judge Haiganush R. Bedrosian, a Family Court judge. And he took the oath with his hand on a leather-bound 1830s family Bible that was so hefty that 10-year-old Matthew Boulet, a friend of the family who recently lost his father, had to use both hands to hoist it.

Avedisian concluded by challenging Warwick residents to use these tough times as a reason to aspire, not despair.

“I am calling on all the people of this city to continue to join together for the common good,” he said. “[We need] to make sure that the painful cuts that are being foisted upon us do not distract us from our mission — to care for one another and to ensure that the frailest and most vulnerable in our community are not forced to bear the largest burden of an economy in crisis.”

bpoliche@projo.com