NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Whatever "toxic" environment that might have occurred  over the past two years was brushed away Tuesday night as the city's outgoing government held its final meeting.

 

The city's new government, elected in November, will be sworn in on Jan. 1.

 

Outgoing Councilors Benjamin Lamb and Jessica Sweeney, both of whom declined  to run for re-election, were given their due and Mayor Thomas Bernard was recognized for his efforts, particularly in dealing with the pandemic over the past two years.

 

Council President Lisa Blackmer noted that that there were already stories of the outbreak of COVID-19 when the current government was sworn in on Jan. 1, 2020. This has forced the council to switch between in-person and virtual meetings over the past two years.

 

 "But in the past two years, we've written numerous ordinances, passed a continuing resolution budget and a regular budget," she said. "We've had three presidents and welcomed new members throughout the session. We worked hard to move things forward. I hope we continue that progress and most importantly, we've added to our families and our community."

 

 Blackmer became the third president of the council in this term after the last two (Paul Hopkins and Jason LaForest) had quit for different reasons. The council also saw the appointments of two members — Peter Oleskiewicz and Bryan Sapienza — to fill vacancies. 

 

 Two more vacancies at the tail end of the council's two-year term saw the seating of the highest non-incumbents in the November election. Michael Obasohan and Marie T. Harpin (who quit and then was re-elected) joined the council in its first November meeting.

 

 Blackmer particularly commended Sweeney on her work on the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Working Group and its development as a permanent board hrough ordinance and Lamb, a former council president, for his leadership and activity in advancing the city. 

 

 "Your perseverance in ushering through numerous policies, ordinances, and initiative help the council and our city including the IDEA working group, the short-term rental  ordinance, Eagle Street and Ashland Street projects," Blackmer said of Lamb. "I'm personally grateful for the Eagle Street Parklet and Friday morning coffee hours."

 

 Councilor-elect Ashley Shade thanked Sweeney for "standing up and being that voice for those who have not had one in the past" and Lamb for his service over the past eight years.

 

 State Sen. Adam Hinds brought proclamations from the state Senate on behalf of the efforts of Bernard, Lamb and Sweeney, Blackmer read a proclamation from House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Lamb from U.S. Rep. Richie Neal on behalf of Bernard.

 

"The two of you are public servants that are so deeply grounded in community and doing what's right for the community, it's been a true inspiration, because I get to see you through the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and your dedication to youth and community and neighborhoods, and really standing up for really folks that aren't always seeing or always getting the attention they need," said Hinds of Lamb and Sweeney.

 

Councilor Peter Oleskiewicz acknowledged that he hadn't been Lamb's biggest fan but had come to appreciate his knowledge and guidance. "Thank you everybody for your service," he said.

 

Bernard is completing his second term after deciding not to run for a third. He will be succeeded by Jennifer Macksey, who will be sworn in on Saturday as the city's first woman mayor.

 

Bernard in his last address to the city pointed to the efforts of the outgoing councilors and the work of the city's employees over the past two years. 

 

"So many people on this team in the city of North Adams have gone above and beyond in ways that are that are unimaginable," he said. "And I just want to highlight our caring first responders, our public health folks who are always data driven, and our unbelievably resilient educators."

 

He added that the incoming mayor "has the ability, the talent and the insight to move North Adams forward. She'll do it with a with a team and with the support of the entire community. Every mayor's success is our shared success and I really I wish her the same joy I have found in service to North Adams, to a city that is beloved to us."

 

Other speakers included Jennifer Flynn Bernard, the mayor's wife, who told him, "I'm so proud of you for staying centered at the helm as you steered the city through the unprecedented and ongoing public health crisis. Almost every day for the past four years, I inquired of the mayor if he loves his job. And the answer every single time has been a resounding 'yes, I do.'"

 

Adams Selectwoman Christine Hoyt wrote that Bernard had been an important partner not just for Adams but for Northern Berkshire.  

 

"The last two years have not been easy for anyone and they certainly have not been easy for municipal officials," she wrote in a letter read by Blackmer. "But Mayor Bernard has done his best to make it easier on all of us in his role as partner throughout and from the very beginning."