Blackmer Wins Seat On City Council

By Tammy DanielsPrint Story | Email Story
Chad Therrien votes at St. Anthony's Parish Center on Tuesday.
NORTH ADAMS - Lisa Blackmer came up a winner in her first run for political office, outpolling two incumbents to place eighth and grab a seat on the City Council.

"I was pleased with how well I did," said Blackmer on Tuesday night. "I'm really excited [about joining the council]."

Two years ago, Christopher Tremblay was the fiesty newcomer, beating out five other challengers to join the nine-seat City Council in his first run.

But Tremblay found himself on the outs as the numbers began to come in from the city's five wards Tuesday night. He polled 730 votes, knocking him to 10th place behind Blackmer's 795 and incumbent Clark Billings' 768.

"I didn't get enough votes," Tremblay said when asked why he lost. He added, "maybe I didn't bring my big spoon to stir the pot."

He won two years ago with 1,118 votes.

"I don't think I let my supporters down," a disappointed Tremblay said. He said he'd miss his fellow councilors and that they had been very complimentary of his work for the city. "It was a really great experience."

Richard Alcombright was again the top vote-getter, garnering 1,185 votes with Gailanne Cariddi not far behind with 1,147. The other five incumbents returned to their seats were Marie Harpin (1,039), Alan Marden (1,032), Michael Bloom (1,018), Robert R. Moulton Jr. (949) and Ronald A. Boucher (922).

The two other challengers, Eric Buddington and Howard D'Amico polled 499 and 422, respectively. It was a disappointing run for Buddington, who had won 831 votes in a larger field two years ago.

Mayor John Barrett III, running unopposed, was easily returned to office. He stopped by the city clerk's office, however, to make sure he hadn't been beaten by the "blanks."

He hadn't. Barrett won with 1,096 votes; the blank votes only came to 351. There were a number of write-ins for mayor, most with one vote each, although Cariddi and developer Michael Deep had five each and Alcombright, four.<L2>

Michael J. Hernandez and George A. Canales were re-elected to the McCann School Committee with 854 votes and 1,042 votes, respectively. There were 1,092 blanks.

All three incumbents were returned to the North Adams School Committee: Mary Lou Accetta (1,098), William Schrade Jr. (980) and Lawrence K. Taft (971).

Of the 8,570 registered voters, 1,497, or 18 percent, went to the polls. That was about half the number last year when 15 candidates were running for City Council. There were 2,950 blank votes.

City Clerk Mariyln Gomeau said the new voting machines worked perfectly and the election went very smoothly thanks to the poll workers.

"They were fabulous," she said. "The workers deserve all the credit because they did all the work."

Poll workers for Wards 2 and 5 at St. Anthony's Parish Center earlier in the day said voting had been slow but steady. Gomeau said some of the wards seemed to pick up a little later in the day.

A low turnout was expected because of a lack of a challenger for mayor and a very quiet City Council campaign.

Blackmer had begun campaigning in earnest only in the last couple weeks, partly because of illness in her family. She opened a campaign office on Main Street and spent hours standing out with signs and writing out election postcards.

She believed that had a lot to do with her victory. "I put myself out there, I worked hard."

"I'm really looking forward to working with the councilors," Blackmer said, adding that the mayor has a lot of projects coming forward. "I want to start by listening and learning ... and go from there."

But the first thing she's looking forward to is sleeping in today.

Tremblay said he still wants to serve the city and hasn't ruled out another run for office in the future.

"I'd like to serve on a committee or board," he said. "Maybe there'll be a spot for me."
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State Fire Marshal Offers Cold Snap Heating Safety Tips

STOW, Mass. —With temperatures expected to dip into the teens overnight this week, Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine is reminding residents to stay warm safely and protect their loved ones from some of the most common home heating fires.

"We're expecting very cold weather in the nights ahead, and home heating appliances will be working overtime," said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. "Heating equipment is the leading cause of carbon monoxide at home and the second leading cause of residential fires. Whether you're using gas, oil, solid fuel, or space heaters to keep warm, be sure you keep safe, too."

State Fire Marshal Davine said there were nearly 6,000 heating fires in Massachusetts from 2019 to 2023. These fires claimed eight lives, caused 139 injuries to firefighters and residents, and contributed to over $42 million in damage. And in 2023 alone, Massachusetts fire departments reported finding carbon monoxide at nearly 5,000 non-fire incidents.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Every household needs working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of their home. Check the manufacturing date on the back of your alarms so you know when to replace them: smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years, and carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced after 5 to 10 years depending on the model. If your alarms take alkaline batteries, put in fresh batteries twice a year when you change your clocks. If it's time to replace your alarms, choose new ones from a well-known, national brand. Select smoke alarms with a sealed, long-life battery and a hush feature.

Natural Gas and Oil Heat

If you have a furnace, water heater, or oil burner, have it professionally checked and serviced each year. This will help it run more efficiently, which will save you money and could save your life. Always keep a three-foot "circle of safety" around the appliance clear of anything that could catch fire. Never store painting supplies, aerosol cans, or other flammable items near these appliances. If you smell gas, don't use any electrical switches or devices: get out, stay out, and call 9-1-1 right away.

Residents struggling to pay for heating bills or maintenance may be eligible for assistance through the Massachusetts home energy assistance program (HEAP). No matter what type of heating equipment you use, HEAP may be able to help you pay your winter heating bills or maintain your heating system. All Massachusetts residents are encouraged to explore eligibility for this free program and apply for assistance.

Solid Fuel Heating

If you use a fireplace or a stove that burns wood, pellets, or coal, always keep the area around it clear for three feet in all directions. This circle of safety should be free of furniture, drapery, rugs, books and papers, fuel, and any other flammable items. To prevent sparks and embers from escaping, use a fireplace screen or keep the stove door closed while burning. Use only dry, seasoned hardwood and don't use flammable liquids to start the fire. To dispose of ashes, wait until they are cool and shovel them into a metal bucket with a lid and place it outside at least 10 feet away from the building.

Have your chimney and flue professionally inspected and cleaned each year. Most chimney fires are caused by burning creosote, a tarry substance that builds up as the fireplace, wood stove, or pellet stove is used. If burning creosote, sparks, embers, or hot gases escape through cracks in the flue or chimney, they can cause a fire that spreads to the rest of the structure. Annual cleaning and inspection can minimize this risk. Contact the Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild or Chimney Safety Institute of America to identify reputable local companies.

Space Heaters

Keep space heaters at least three feet from curtains, bedding, and anything else that can burn. Plug them directly into a wall socket, not an extension cord or a power strip, and remember that they're for temporary use. Always turn a space heater off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

When purchasing a space heater, select one that's been tested and labeled by a nationally recognized testing company, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL). Newer space heaters should have an automatic shut-off switch that turns the device off if it tips over. Unvented kerosene space heaters and portable propane space heaters are not permitted for residential use in Massachusetts, State Fire Marshal Davine said: the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning that they pose is too great.

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