Sudbury's new council gets in-depth orientation session

Sudbury's new city councillors sat around a table together for the first time Tuesday night.

It was an orientation session for the newly elected council — almost all of whom are new to municipal politics.

In between learning the ins and outs of their new city laptops, and how to deal with journalists, councillors also went around the table introducing themselves.

And most — like new Ward 3 councillor Gerry Montpellier — are excited to get started next month.

"Fantastic bunch of people. Met'em all. Looking good!"

During the session, which was open to the public, councillors were filled in on everything from their office budgets to what eyeglass benefits they're entitled to.

Council administrative assistant Manon Depatie also went over their new city email accounts.

"In light of the volume of emails sent and received by members of staff, council and the organization, that selective use of the reply all feature be used. So, just keep that in mind."

The new Sudbury city council and new mayor Brian Bigger will be sworn in on Dec. 2 and will hold its first official meeting a week after that.