Four NA Elected Officials Tabbed for State Leadership Posts

Four North Adams officials were elected to leadership roles with the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) at its annual meeting held in Boston on January 25.

City Councilor Lisa Blackmer, a former MMA president, returns to the association’s leadership as president of the Massachusetts Municipal Councillors’ Association (MMCA), with council vice president Jason M. LaForest as the MMCA second vice president. In their respective capacities each serves as a member of the MMA board of directors. Councilor LaForest also has held a seat on the MMA policy committee for Labor Relations and Personnel since 2018.

In addition to their duties with MMA, councilors Blackmer and LaForest also have been appointed to the governor’s local government advisory commission.

The commission meets monthly with Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, and at least quarterly with the Commonwealth’s legislative leadership at the State House. It reviews and analyzes proposed legislation and regulatory changes from the point of view of municipal government and advises officials of the Commonwealth and federal government on the needs and interests of municipalities. Lieutenant Governor Polito will administer the oath of office to the councilors at the State House in the coming weeks.

Additionally, councilor Benjamin Lamb will join the MMA policy committee on Municipal and Regional administration, while Mayor Tom Bernard will serve on the policy committee on Public Works, Transportation, and Public Utilities.