North Adams Adds New Officer, Postpones Art Commission
 Mayor Richard Alcombright pins the badge on new police Officer David Lemieux as Police Director Michael Cozzaglio looks on. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The latest member of the city's police force was sworn in on Tuesday night.
Officer David Lemieux took the oath from City Clerk Marilyn Gomeau before the City Council.
Mayor Richard Alcombright has made it a point to recognize new full-time members of the Fire and Police departments by introducing them at the televised meetings.
Lemieux was officially sworn in a few weeks ago and then put immediately to work, said the mayor.
"He spent 26 weeks at the state police academy," Alcombright said.
"We've made a commitment to have a 21 police officers and we're working back to that number," the mayor said, adding he was grateful for the councilors and directors support.
"It's a privilege to work for the city of North Adams," Lemieux said. "It's been a lifelong dream."
Police Director Cozzaglio said the hiring of Lemieux brings the force up to 21.
"We're working — with your support, with the mayor's support -to keep the department solid," Cozzaglio told the councilors.
Lemieux has "already proven himself in the weeks he's been back. He's been very active, very proactive," Cozzaglio continued, and is expected to be joined by two more officers completing the academy in July.
He said the force is undergoing a higher than normal changeover at the moment because of retirements, departures and officers out.
The mayor said the "first priority is officer safety ... and [turning to Lemieux] we want to make certain you stay safe."
In other business during the short meeting, the council postponed and referred an ordinance creating an arts commission to the city solicitor.
The concept of a public arts commission has been the subject of two General Government Committee meetings, including a lengthy discussion last week after councilors registered some concern over the appointing process.
The result of last week's meeting, as well as a correction and clarification on working suggested by Councilor Eric Buddington, were sent to the solicitor. Councilors Kate Merrigan and Jennifer Breen were absent.
The mayor said he would ask the solicitor to attend the next meeting in case there were more questions.
During open forum, Cemetery Commissioner Roger Eurbin stood to clarify that cemetery lot prices had not doubled and new prices were approved by the council.
There was false information given out on a public television show, he said. "That is blatantly false."
• Richard Dassatti, a member of the North County Cares Coalition, invited the councilors to join the group in a rally at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield in favor of the restoration of a full-service hospital in North Adams.
The group will meet at City Hall at noon on March 28, the year anniversary of the closure of North Adams Regional Hospital, and caravan to BMC for the rally at 2 p.m.
• The mayor noted that the city's hotbox is out patching potholes.
"Our priority is the most traveled roads and where the potholes are in the center, rather than the edges," he said.
He also commended the Department of Public Works for its efforts during the particularly hard winter and "weird water breaks," and the patience and understanding of residents.
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