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Date: 1/9/2024
NORTHAMPTON — With the start of a new term, elected officials in Northampton were officially sworn in for a two-year term during a ceremony at the Northampton Senior Center on Jan. 2.
Among those inaugurated were members of the School Committee, City Council, Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Board of Trustees, Forbes Library Trustees, Oliver Smith Will Elector and the Community Preservation Committee.
Presiding over the event were former City Council President Jim Nash and former City Council Vice President Karen Foster Cannon, both of whom announced back in the spring that they would step down from the council at the end of this past term.
Foster Cannon, however, is now serving as the Ward 2 representative on the School Committee.
“At first glance, this event may appear perfunctory, some pomp, some expressions of patriotism and faith coupled with coffee, tea, and Danish and beignets,” Foster Cannon and Nash said during their introductory comments. “However, in this very room where the votes are passed, we are witness in the peaceful revolution because we as residents of Northampton, have faith in our democratic process.”
Three new members of the City Council were sworn in during the ceremony, including Deb Pastrich-Klemer of Ward 2, Quaverly Rothenberg of Ward 3 and Jeremy Dubs of Ward 4.
School Committee, meanwhile, also had three new members take the oath, including Foster Cannon, Ann Hennessey for Ward 5 and Kerry LaBounty for Ward 7.
“Some today are taking this oath for the first time called to serve,” Nash said in his remarks. “They put their thoughts and ideas to the voters of Northampton; they garnered the votes to hold office and they’re here today ready to serve.”
The ceremony also featured the inauguration of many returning members.
“Some taking the oath of office today, have chosen to continue serving for another term in their elected role, bringing their needed experience and insight to their work for our city,” Foster Cannon said.
For council, Stan Moulton of Ward 1, Alex Jarrett of Ward 5, Marianne LaBarge of Ward 6, Rachel Maiore of Ward 7 and at-large members Marissa Elkins and Garrick Perry were sworn in for another term.
On School Committee, Holly Ghazey of Ward 1, Emily Serafy-Cox of Ward 3, Michael Stein of Ward 4, Margaret Miller of Ward 6 and at-large members Aline Davis and Gwen Agna took the oath as returning members.
Others sworn in during the ceremony include Trustees of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School members Michael Cahillane, Julie Spencer-Robinson and Richard Aquadro, as well as Community Preservation Committee members Emily Coffin and K. Christop Hellman.
Mary Odgers was sworn in as the Elector under the Oliver Smith Will, while Ruth Francis, Anne Teschner and Kathleen Wright were inaugurated as Trustees Under the Will of Charles E. Forbes.
During the closing part of the ceremony, Nash acknowledged the official end of his run on council.
“I started this meeting as a city councilor, and now I’m just June Nash of Mont View Avenue,” he said.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton), state Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) and Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane.