NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The newly elected government of North Adams will be officially sworn in on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020.
The biennial inaugural takes place in City Council Chambers at 10 a.m. and is open to the public. The event will be broadcast on Northern Berkshire Community Television.
Mayor Thomas Bernard, who is entering his second two-year term in the corner office, will give an address and the City Council will elect its president and vice president.
The nine-member council will see a third of its membership changeover after November's election.
Returning for the next term are Keith Bona, Marie T. Harpin, Paul Hopkins, Jason LaForest, Benjamin Lamb and Wayne Wilkinson. Two of the new members aren't that new: both Lisa Blackmer and Robert Moulton Jr. are former five-term councilors being returned after two years off.
The single newcomer is Jessica Sweeney, elected in her first run for office in November.
Moulton will be sworn in twice on the New Year — first for council and secondly as the new member of the School Committee. Moulton ran and won both seats, and returns the name Moulton to the School Committee after his brother Mark left the committee in 2015 after serving several terms.
Also being sworn in the School Committee will be incumbents Karen Bond and Tara Jacobs.
The city's representatives to the Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District will also be taking their oaths for the new term. Incumbents George Canales and William Diamond will be joined on the McCann School Committee by newcomer Peter Breen, a longtime educator and member of the License Board.
The public invited to attend. The ceremony begins with the swearing in and reorganization of the City Council; the mayor is then escorted into chambers for his address.
The organization of government is held on Jan. 1 following an election according to the city charter, which states the mayor and councilors are to "serve for two years from the first day of January following their election."
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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.
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.
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.
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