NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday bid goodbye to one longtime employee and welcomed her replacement. 

 

Assistant City Clerk Nancy Canales, who retired last week after nearly 19 years with the city, was presented with framed and personalized map of historic North Adams by the City Council. 

 

"It's to thank you for all your years of service," said President Benjamin Lamb as her family watched from the gallery in council chambers, including her husband, George, former McCann Tech coach, and her son Michael, the city's administrative officer. 

 

City Clerk Marilyn Gomeau read a tearful tribute to her co-worker and good friend.

 

"Nancy and I began working in the clerk's office 18 1/2 years ago and she served the City Council for 13 years," she said. "I know they appreciate all your dedication and hard work. We will truly miss you."

 

Canales always had a smile for citizens coming into the office, said Gomeau, and a way of getting her to see things differently.

 

"Nancy, you've always been an inspiration to me in many ways ... you will always be the angel on my shoulder telling me, 'let's think about it,'" she said.

 

Canales later joked she'd left a couple things behind, such as her coffee mug, as an excuse to stop by. She also plans to continue helping out with elections. 

 

Gomeau swore in Deborah Pedercini as the new assistant city clerk. Pedercini has spent the past few weeks working with Canales to learn her new role.

 

The City Council also on Tuesday authorized Mayor Richard Alcombright to enter into an easement to the Greylock Works parking lot as part of the private venture's receipt of a competitive $2,176,341 MassWorks grant.

 

In answering questions, the mayor said the city worked with the owners of the Greylock Mill to develop the grant application and the easement would provide the "public good" necessary for its submission. The funds will pay for the long neglected back parking lot to be restructured, paved and landscaped. 

 

The landscaping will include pathways to the Alcombright Athletic Complex's northernmost parking lot, which abuts the mill property, and will allow users of the field to park in that back parking area. The lease is for 10 years and the city will not be obligated to maintain the mill parking or landscaping.

 

The former textile mill is undergoing a multi-year, $15 million makeover that will include event space, artisanal food production, a restaurant, hospitality functions and condominiums.

 

In other business, 

 

• The council approved the reappointments of Shaun Dougherty to the Airport Commission for a term to expire Feb. 2, 2020; Gail Sellers to the MassMoCA Commission for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2020; and Allyson Holmes and Paul Senecal to the Planning Board with terms to expire on Feb. 2 and Feb. 1, 2020, respectively.

 

• Passed to a final reading changes in the compensation plans for firefighters and part-time workers. 

 

• Councilor Keith Bona reminded everyone to continue to tell the Small Business Revolution why the love #MyNorthAdams on Facebook. Don't forget the hashtag. 

 

• Both Lamb and the mayor thanked Councilor Lisa Blackmer for her efforts on behalf of the city and state during her term as president of the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

 

"She did run back and forth many, many times between here and Boston at her own expense," said the mayor. "You did a great job representing the city of North Adams. You made the commitment and you really did a great job."