Nancy Salvia picks up Rochester mayor’s gavel

ROCHESTER — Nancy Salvia was recently appointed the new mayor of Rochester, a position she will hold for the next year.

Salvia, a financial adviser, was unanimously elected to the position by her peers. 

She has lived in the city for 16 years and has served on the council since 2017, including committee work in infrastructure, facilities, trees, the Community House and the Older Persons’ Commission.

Salvia shared a few comments during the Nov. 26 City Council meeting.

“First of all, thank you, thank you,” she said. “We are so blessed as a city, as a council, to have an amazing council, a strong council, a very engaged council. 

“I recognize that everyone at the council table brings gifts and talents to this city and to the council — we have strategy, we have tenacity, we have passion, we have communication skills, we have experience, we have a fresh perspective and strong business acumen. 

“I believe that together, we will continue to lead Rochester, and, I like to say, to make Rochester not just where we live, but where we love to live.”

The council, also by unanimous vote, named Stuart Bikson mayor pro tem.

“I think it’s time to keep moving the city forward and I think this council can do that,” Bikson said.  

Bikson, a recently retired teacher at Waterford Mott High School, was first elected to the council in 1999, and he previously served as mayor 2006-2008, 2011-2013 and 2019-2024. He has lived in the city for over 30 years.

Salvia recognized Bikson for serving 10 years as the mayor of Rochester. 

“I didn’t check with Pat McKay, our historian, but I think that might be a record — I don’t know,” Salvia said. “He also served during some very tough times. He served during part of the financial crisis. He served during COVID, so not just 10 years, but some tough years.”

Every year, the Rochester City Council elects members to one-year terms for the part-time mayor and mayor pro tem positions. The mayor is paid $65 per meeting, while the mayor pro tem and other council members are paid $55 per meeting. 

Rochester City Council meetings are typically held inside Rochester City Hall, 400 Sixth St., at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of every month. 

For more information or to tune in virtually to a live meeting, visit www.ci.rochester.mi.us.