Now that the Butler City Council roster for the next two years has been determined, by virtue of Tuesday's general election, it is important that a smooth transition begin to take shape.

But first, in their own minds, the council newcomers must acknowledge again the formidable task that awaits them when they assume their duties in January and reaffirm their determination to make the right decisions, no matter how difficult or painful those decisions might be.

With the election of Kathy Kline and Mike Kelly to council seats and Maggie Stock as mayor, city government is poised to embark on an era of new ideas, as well as continue energetically the positive work begun over the past couple of years.

Downtown revitalization and the West End project must move ahead, and these new leaders won't be spared the pesky issues of varying importance that have dogged those who will be relinquishing their seats — such as downtown parking, dilapidated buildings, poor street conditions and some residents' lax attitude toward grass-cutting and maintenance of sidewalks.

The severity of the winter will determine the level of inconvenience regarding water or sewer line breaks and the tearing up of streets to make needed repairs. While the city won't have first responsibility for waterline repairs, for example — that will be the Pennsylvania American Water Co.'s job — city officials will have the duty to push for any major improvements to the water system that are deemed necessary.

All aspects of the city must be afforded scrutiny by these new officials as they try to avoid and fix the mistakes of the past.

As with their predecessors, Stock, Kelly and Kline will be hit quickly with the realities surrounding the city's precarious financial situation. Even now in these soon-to-be officials' minds, there already is planted the fact that they will have to be ingenious in their approaches to the fiscal problems that await them.

And, in dealing correctly with those issues, they aren't going to please everyone. In fact, they will be making some people very angry.

The do-nothing option employed so often in the past regarding the city's problems, serious and otherwise, won't be a choice in the years ahead, if the city is to move forward.

Change is oftentimes good, and change has been needed in Butler for some time.

That doesn't mean that the outgoing officials weren't dedicated to doing a good job. However, some of the problems have festered so long that it's time that others be given the chance to address them.

Important decisions have to be made regarding the makeup and staffing levels of the police and fire departments, and in regard to ensuring that there are enough streets department workers to do the work that only seems to increase.

Cleaner streets should be a goal of this "new" council, as well as smoother streets.

The "new" council also will have to decide whether the city really must keep its offices open according to the current schedule. Perhaps implementing an evening schedule on some days each month to accommodate the needs of city residents who work during the day is the better option — as well as testing an abbreviated office-hours schedule in general as a means of saving money — if only during the summer.

Such thoughts and issues must be part of the transition exercise, which no doubt will involve a considerable number of hours. So must the new officeholders ponder how they intend to maintain ties with Harrisburg and Washington.

The city has much going for it on many fronts, but mostly it represents unfinished business that must be pursued and brought to a successful completion.

Stock, Kline and Kelly, by their decision to lead the city, have stated that they are the people with the skills and attitude to address whatever comes before them.

City residents should give them a brief "honeymoon" period to get adjusted and fully settled into their new roles. Then, these new leaders should be expected to do whatever is necessary to return vitality and prosperity to this community that has been dealt too many unfortunate setbacks in recent years.

Thousands of Butler residents are counting on them.