NEWBURYPORT — It's been a month full of changes for Donna Holaday since she was elected the city's next mayor on Nov. 3.

She has left her job at Middlesex Community College — although she is finishing up teaching an online fall semester course for the college — and is spending her days preparing to take over leading the city from Mayor John Moak. She has a calendar full of appointments and is holding twice-weekly meetings with Moak and his immediate staff to ensure a smooth transition.

She has a transition team in place and has attended several training sessions for new mayors-elect before she becomes the city's 68th mayor on Jan. 4.

Holaday is excited about the inauguration ceremony and has planned a "very inclusive ceremony," she said. Students from all Newburyport public schools, the charter school and the Immaculate Conception School have been invited to participate in some way. Veterans were also asked to be involved. A minister and a rabbi will both speak, Holaday said.

There's also a "special component" that she will keep as a surprise until that day, she said.

Holaday has also formed six teams as part of her transition into office. Each focuses on a different aspect of city government, including education, boards and commissions, finance, social services, public safety, and development.

The teams include "a real cross section" of the community, including former supporters and some who backed her opponent in the election, she said.

She has attended various training sessions, run by the state, Massachusetts Municipal Association and University of Massachusetts.

"It's just been phenomenal," Holaday said of the resources provided to the new mayors-elect. "It's been incredible, the outreach to mayors-elect. It helps, because I'm starting to see the other mayors-elect on a regular basis."

And she has been spending a lot of time at City Hall.

She's met with department heads and holds lengthy meetings twice a week with Moak, his executive aide and his director of policy and administration.

She's spoken with the city councilors and city councilors-elect, telling them she wants to hold individual meetings with all of them once she takes office. Some are on her transition team.

Holaday currently serves as an at-large councilor and is chairwoman of the council's Budget and Finance Committee.

"The relationship with the City Council is vital for the mayor," Holaday said.

As is fostering open communication, she added. She would like to see the city councilors host monthly ward meetings.

"I would really like to encourage the City Council to make that happen," she said.

Holaday intends to host a community forum, eyed for the end of January, for the public to come and share their concerns and engage in a dialogue. She also plans to use the city's Web site to post news and updates.

At-large Councilor Tom Jones said this week he is looking forward to the inauguration and working with Holaday.

"I think there's some good, positive energy," he said. "I'm impressed."

Jones said he has spoken with Holaday, who has a "clear understanding of the budget and what needs to change" and could "shake up the status quo with regard to how we function as a city," he said.

Just hours after Moak watches Holaday take office, he will take the seat behind his desk as the next town administrator in Pepperell.

Moak confirmed yesterday he has finalized his contract with the Pepperell Board of Selectmen after being offered the position on Nov. 30. He was in that town Monday night getting ready to take over the position in January.

He will leave from Newburyport City Hall and arrive at Pepperell in the afternoon, following Holaday's inauguration. The mayor has said he will continue to live in Newburyport and commute one hour each way to his new job.

Moak called the move "another chapter." Prior to serving two terms as mayor, he was Newburyport City Clerk and head librarian.