He would be re-elected in the election later that year, defeating former mayor Cornelius Gallagher by 81 votes. He did not seek re-election in 1899, opting to retire. Following his last council meeting, after thanking members of the council, he treated members of the council and press members to "an excellent oyster supper" at a dining hall. During his two terms as mayor, he was involved in petitioning the dominion government for the bridge that became the Low Level Bridge, which would be constructed shortly after his final mayoral term, in 1900. He also introduced bylaws that permitted a new flour mill to operate with reduced taxation rates, authorized the widening of Queen Street, and provided for the purchase of additional property for the expansion of the town.