image description

North Adams City Council Will Seek Candidates for Vacant Seat

Staff ReportsPrint Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council intends to fill the vacancy being left by the resignation of Councilor Nancy Bullett. 
 
In a communication to the full council, President Benjamin Lamb wrote, "it is our responsibility to select and appoint an individual to fill the seat she is vacating for the remainder of the current term to expire January 2018."
 
He intends to open up a submission period for letters of interest from citizens interested in serving out the final six months of Bullett's two-year term. 
 
Bullett tendered her resignation effective July 1 because she has purchased a home outside of Massachusetts. She had wanted to give the council time to find a suitable candidate, believing the seat should not sit vacant for the rest of the year. 
 
The council has taken different options in the past, including soliciting letters of interest, picking the individual who came in 10th place in the most recent election, and leaving the seat vacant. Mayor Richard Alcombright, for example, was selected to complete the term of his late father, longtime Councilor Daniel Alcombright. However, no attempt was made to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Councilor Clark Billings, which had occurred in August. 
 
The city charter states that any vacancy "shall be filled" by council members and the council's own rules state that candidates can submit letters of interest and letters of endorsements may also be submitted.
 
Lamb will announce the opening of the submission period at Tuesday's City Council meeting with a deadline of July 3. Letters may be submitted in person to the city clerk's office. 
 
Individuals who have submitted letters by the deadline will be able to make five-minute statements in support of their candidacy at the Tuesday, July 11, meeting of the City Council. Councilors will also be able to ask them "relevant questions." 
 
The council will then discuss the candidates, make nominations and vote. The new councilor will take the oath of office and join the full council at the next meeting on July 25. 
 
All of the seats on the City Council will be up for election on Nov. 7, so any appointment can only last until New Year's Day, with the mayor and City Council is sworn in for the next two-year term. 
 
"My sincere thanks and well wishes go out to Councilor Bullett as she leaves the council, and my added thanks goes out to this council as we look to fill the seat being vacated as Councilor Bullett departs," Lamb wrote.

Tags: North Adams City Council,   vacancy,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories