NORTH ADAMS â City Councilor Jason LaForest says he is exploring a run for mayor, after an announcement from current North Adams Mayor Tom Bernard that he will not seek a third term.
LaForest, who first was elected in 2017 and is serving his second year as the councilâs vice president, told The Eagle it is âalmost certainâ that he will pull papers to run in April.
Though LaForest confirmed his plans with local reporters Tuesday, he said he had been considering the run since before Bernardâs announcement and has received a positive response so far.
âNorth Adams truly needs broad, transparent leadership,â he said. âThat reflects who we are as a community, where we have been and where we need to go together, against the backdrop of tight finances.â
Sarah Thompson
(Photo by Sarah Thompson)
ROCKLAND – One burden has been lessened for the fledgling Rockland Historic Preservation Commission as it continues its work to identify local landmarks within the Downtown District and Tillson Avenue area overlay zone.
The measure granted to the commission came with hesitancy by some city officials, who recalled the origin of the request, as well as questioned the measure’s future effectiveness.
Monday, Jan. 11, City Council voted 4 – 1 (Louise MacLellan-Ruf dissenting) to enact a 180-day moratorium on any building demolition within that Downtown area.
“[The intent is] simply to give the historic preservation commission a bit of a runway to start this process,” said Councilor Ben Dorr.