“Weird, it’s a weird place to be.”

That’s how former Mayor Scott Avedisian describes what he and members of his committee were faced with in planning inauguration ceremonies of Mayor-elect Frank Picozzi, the two at-large members of the School Committee and nine members of the City Council.

Because of distancing requirements and concerns over COVID-19, there won’t be a single inaugural ceremony, but three of them on January 5. Furthermore, the ceremonies are not designed to attract crowds, at least not in-person.

In planning the series of inaugurations, Avedisian said he wanted to be sensitive to being fair to those taking oaths of office as well as their families and friends while ensuring a safe environment.

The first of the ceremonies will be held at noon on the steps of City Hall when Associate Supreme Court Justice and former Warwick Mayor Francis X. Flaherty administers the oath to Picozzi. He will be joined by his wife, Kim and other members of the family. In case of inclement weather the ceremony will be moved inside City Hall. Avedisian said the ceremony will be on Facebook as well as viewable from the city’s website.

Picozzi is then expected to take part virtually in the online inauguration of state representatives at 2 p.m. followed by that of state senators at 4 p.m.

At 5 p.m., Picozzi will virtually administer the oaths of office to at-large School Committee members Karen Bachus and David Testa.

The virtual inauguration of the City Council will take place at 7 p.m. After Mayor Picozzi administers the oaths of office to members of the council, the council will meet to elect Ward 7 Councilman Steve McAllister as president. Mayor Picozzi is expected to address the council as well as President McAllister.

New to the council are Vincent Gebhart of Ward 9 and William Foley of Ward 1. Returning to the City Council having won reelection are Jeremy Rix, Ward 2; Timothy Howe, Ward 3; James McElroy, Ward 4; Ed Ladouceur, Ward 5; Donna Travis, Ward 6; Steve McAllister, Ward 7; and Anthony Sinapi, Ward 8.

Avedisian said Picozzi wants to celebrate the occasion and when it is safe for people to gather again will hold a food truck event at Rocky Point.

“This may be short on ceremony,” Avedisian said of the proposed Rocky Point event and the inaugurals planned for Tuesday, “but it’s big on the symbolism of getting down to work.”