It's a business meeting not a political rally, not a church service, 

there's no need for the pledge, no need for a song and no need for praying or any other prelude to the meeting.

Rap the gavel and get the borough's business taken care of.

You want all the folderol?  Go hold a political rally.  Go to the church of your choice.

Leave all that jingoism out of what is essentially just a business meeting.