On Monday, Jan. 6, an epiphany came to the Bath Borough Council chambers in the form of a record number of elected women officials. A standing-room-only crowd was there to witness the swearing in of three council members, a tax collector and a new Bath Borough mayor.

By 6:45 p.m. the council chamber was filled with residents and visitors. At 7 p.m. a crowd of more than 50 people filled the room and spilled out into the chamber's hallway. Those standing nibbled on catered hors d'oeuvres and a bar of hot drinks provided by the Rolling Barista.

The Honorable Judge of the Court of Common Pleas Emmidio "Emil" Giordano swore in incumbent council members Carol Bear-Heckman and Michael Reph, and newly elected member Michele Ehrgott. Debra C. Mills was sworn in by Judge Giordano to the office of tax collector.

Before the swearing in of Ehrgott, The Press asked her daughter Alexa, who was in the audience, how she felt about her mother taking the oath of office for the first time. Visibly excited, she said with a smile, "I don't know."

It was easy for Kathy Reph and her daughter Melissa Reph to give The Press a response. This was their 22nd time coming to see Kathy's husband, Councilman Michael Reph sworn in. Melissa Reph said her dad has been serving in public office longer than she has been alive.

As families and friends came to celebrate and support their loved ones, the main attraction was to see Fiorella Reginelli-Mirabito sworn in to the office of mayor. From 2008 to 2010 Reginelli-Mirabito served as a council member. Later she went on to volunteer for the 275th Bath Anniversary Committee.

Present to celebrate the swearing in of the new mayor were her parents Ennio and Maria Reginelli, husband Manny Mirabito and The Reverend Monsignor Francis A. Nave, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Bath. After Mayor Mirabito was sworn in, she received a round of applause.

After the ceremonies, council business continued with the election of officers Robert Fields was re-elected by his peers to another term as council president; Mark Saginario was also re-elected as council vice president; Carol Bear-Heckman was elected as council president pro tem; Thomas R. Petrucci was reappointed Bath borough manager, secretary and treasurer; and Blake C. Marles, Esq. and James F. Kratz, Esq. were reappointed as borough solicitor and assistant borough solicitor.

Fields noted this is the first time that council is composed of four councilwomen, plus Reginelli-Mirabito.