SANFORD — Mayor Thomas Cote pledged to lend his support to “Synergize Sanford” Tuesday to promote business growth. As well, he said he’ll seek a sustainable, long-term fiscal policy for the municipality ”“ one that looks beyond annual budgets and into the future.

Cote was sworn in as mayor to a full house at council chambers in City Hall Tuesday night. He is Sanford’s first popularly elected mayor.

His swearing in and speech drew two standing ovations ”“ and a third when he thanked interim Mayor Maura Herlihy, who was named deputy mayor by the council Tuesday, for her work over the past year, which was Sanford’s first year as a city.

Cote’s election brings high expectations from residents of a city that, like other municipalities, has had its share of fiscal woes throughout the prolonged economic downtown that began in 2008. There have been layoffs at the public works department over the past few years, vacant positions were eliminated elsewhere, and there were layoffs in the city’s schools this year. Sanford is receiving less state aid to education, and there have been hefty cuts to state revenue sharing, along with other financial hardships.

Cote on Tuesday suggested the hard times may not be over.

“As confident as I am in our strength, I am equally confident that we have difficult challenges ahead,” he said.

Cote said Sanford’s population has been stagnant for 10 years, while the county’s population has expanded by 5 percent. He noted that 11 percent of city residents live in federally supported Section 8 housing; the average household income is $10,000 less than the county and state average; most of the population is under 18 or over 55; and, in the last five years, the city has lost 10 percent of its valuation, experienced a 17 percent increase in property assessments and a tax rate increase of 29 percent.

Cote, 43, is a marketing manager for a West Coast semiconductor firm. His only previous municipal experience was a stint on the city’s budget panel, but his message that the city must take the long view struck a decisive chord with voters. He handily won the three-way race for mayor Nov. 5, earning 2,614 votes, far outpacing his competitors. Two other candidates, Chamber of Commerce President Richard Stanley and Bradford Littlefield, who ran for mayor rather than another council term, trailed far behind ”“ Stanley earned 779 votes and Littlefield 442.

In Sanford, the mayor acts as the seventh councilor.

Cote told the City Hall audience and those watching over cable television at home that the city must proceed with caution, and that it must identify the most palatable and sustainable fiscal policy and stick to it.

“We will need to strike a balance between what is traditionally considered essential and necessary, versus what we demand for our quality of life in Sanford,” he said. “From our perspective, there needs to be time spent measuring our ability to spend versus our necessity to spend.”

Cote pointed out that the city cannot cut its way to prosperity.

“We need to champion an aggressive and achievable economic growth strategy for Sanford, and this should include a review of departments and policies to be sure we are practicing what we preach,” he said.

And, he said, the existing economy and local marketplace should not be ignored. Cote met with the Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council, Chamber of Commerce and the school department to promote creation of a professional business forum called Synergize Sanford, intended, he said, “to nurture entrepreneurs, provide professional guidance and offer a roadmap to advance local business ideas from concept to reality.”

He said the city needs to create a deeper sense of community pride by showing compassion for each other, sharing ideas, pursuing common goals and celebrating success.

As he wound down his remarks, Cote acknowledged his wife, Pam, and their two daughters, his parents, Philip and Marilyn Cote, and other family members in the audience.

“Your unwavering love and support is a priceless gift,” he said. “You are truly my rock and my foundation. Thank you for believing in me.”

Cote pledged that the council would have an equal voice, and he told the public that the council chambers are open to them.

“You are welcome here to express your concerns, ideas and beliefs,” he said. “This city belongs to all of us, and as residents, we are all accountable for its success.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.