NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Ordinance changes related to mayoral appointments were referred to General Government on Tuesday but not without debate by the full City Council and the mayor. 

 

Vice President Ashley Shade proposed the changes to bring the city's code in line with current state laws following questions surrounding the mayor's sole authority to appoint to the Airport Commission.  

 

Her proposal would add City Council approval to commission appointments, and prohibit any commissioner from having any current activity at the airport. 

 

"Our city charter was established before airports were a thing and existed. This provision allowed our city to adopt an airport commission. Therefore, we need to adopt all of the language as is written in that provision and adopt that exact statute," she said.

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey pushed back, calling the amendments a waste of time. 

 

"I'm not trying to have a power play. I just want to get my job done and work with people who really want to serve and don't have to be put over the coals every time they come through here," she said. 

 

Macksey had placed Doug Herrick, a member of the Mohawk Soaring Club, to the commission after withdrawing his appointment from the City Council two weeks ago.