NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The School Committee bid adieu to Richard Alcombright for a second time on Tuesday. 

 

The former mayor was presented with a clock in 2017 upon the completion of his fourth term as chair of the committee; on Tuesday, he received another clock marking his four years as a member of the committee. 

 

"I have 49 years of aggregate elected services," said Alcombright. "My point is this, that I would not have done it if I didn't love it. The rewards of public service far outweigh any resulting things that might come with any positions."

 

He said he chose not run because it was time for new voices and ideas,  and for others who call the city home to step up. He was disappointed by the last election cycle because of its anger and vitriol, and critics hiding behind keyboards. 

 

"Many uninformed or ill-informed people sitting on the sidelines criticizing those who try so hard to move our community forward, trying to make those who do the work, all of you, feel less than," Alcombright said. 

 

"There is nothing more harmful than when we make someone feel less than ...we need to set a higher standard, our own well-intended standard for political interaction."

 

His civic service is lengthy — McCann School Committee member; as chair or member of social service, health care and substance abuse committees — as well as his terms as mayor, city councilor and School Committee member. He's served through five different superintendents and with numerous