One thing is certain about the inaugural of Frank Picozzi as mayor. By City Charter, the event occurs on the first Tuesday of the New Year, and that is Jan. 5, 2021.

But the pandemic and what state regulations will be in place at that time have thrown a bunch of unknowns into the occasion.

As a result, former Mayor Scott Avedisian, who Picozzi has chosen to head his inaugural committee, is working on three possible sceneries based on the size of gatherings permitted and the weather.

Avedisian said the committee would look at an event allowing for a sizable gathering, which he hopes is the case but doubts will happen, as well as one with limitations on gatherings and one with no gatherings. The event would be live streamed.

“Five or less [at a gathering] is going to be really hard to make happen,” he said. In such a case, Avedisian sees no alternative than a Zoom inauguration followed by a Zoom City Council meeting.

Options he suggested if the gathering had to be limited included City Council Chambers in City Hall and a school auditorium.

Former mayor and Supreme Court Justice Francis X. Flaherty will administer the oath of office to Picozzi and he, in turn, administers the oath of office to members of the City Council. The council then meets to adopt its rules and elect a president. In a recent caucus held outside at the home of Ward 7 Councilman Steve McAllister, the all-Democratic council unanimously agreed to name McAllister when the vote is taken.

In order to meet open meeting requirements, Avedisian pointed out a time and location of the inauguration will need to be posted by Dec. 30.

Picozzi also named to the committee: his wife, Kim; McAllister’s wife, Vanessa; Laura Testa, wife of School Committee member David Testa; Lara D’Antuono, executive director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick; Lauren Slocum, president and CEO, Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce; and Philip Thornton, superintendent of Warwick Public Schools.

“I’m very honored that Justice Flaherty has agreed to swear me in, he is the city’s senior statesman.” Picozzi said in a statement.

Picozzi there will most likely be no post-ceremony celebration. “My preference would be to do the swearing in on the front steps of City Hall but we’ll have to wait and see,” he said.

Avedisian volunteered that his favorite inauguration came soon after the opening of the people mover at Green Airport. The event was held on the people mover.

That may seem to be an appropriate favorite, as the Picozzi inauguration is up in the air for the moment.