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Elizabeth Lewis in line to be Atherton's mayor

by Renee Batti

The town of Atherton will have a new mayor this week, and it's likely to be current Vice Mayor Elizabeth Lewis.

Mayor Bill Widmer will turn in his gavel after a vote by colleagues determines his replacement on Wednesday, Dec. 19. But first, Ms. Lewis will be sworn into office for her second term, and Cary Wiest will take the oath for his first term.

The two were the top vote-getters in a field of four in the Nov. 6 election.

After three-term councilwoman Kathy McKeithen steps down and Mr. Wiest takes her seat, the council will reconsider a resolution passed last month that requires the town's unrepresented employees to pay for more of their retirement costs, caps vacation and sick-leave accrual, caps the town's contribution to health-care premiums, creates a two-tier retirement system for new hires, and eliminates post-retirement health benefits for new hires, among other things.

The council unanimously approved the resolution on Nov. 28, but Ms. Lewis and Councilman Jerry Carlson, who were unhappy with some of its terms, promised to call for a reconsideration this month. (Only a council member who has voted in favor of a measure can call for its reconsideration, according to City Attorney Bill Conners.)

The council will also hear reports and staff suggestions on how to proceed with library reconstruction and Town Center projects, and the proposed Little League project in Holbrook-Palmer Park.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 94 Ashfield Road in the Town Center.