Easthampton officials to take oath of office Jan. 2 in City Council chambers.
EASTHAMPTON – It's been a time of farewells in City Hall.
Long-time assistant Karen Cadieux will become the new mayor. Mayor Michael A. Tautznik did not seek re-election.
Outgoing City Council President Justin P. Cobb presented plaques to Chester Ogulewicz and Donald L. Cykowski. He thanked them at their final council meeting last week for the years of service.
Joseph McCoy presented one to Cobb. “He can’t give it to himself,” he said. He praised Cobb particularly for his attention to details.
“I’m going to miss the camaraderie, the witty banter,” said Cobb, who was elected in November of 2003. He decided not to run for another term.
Cykowski and Ogulewicz, both at large counselors, lost bids for re-election.
“Thank you for allowing me to be your counselor all these years,” Cykowski said. He was appointed in 2004 and has served ever since. Last year he was the subject of a recall attempt. While the drive collected 2,218 signatures to call for a recall election, the drive was 17 short of the requisite numbers. Some asked that he resign anyway but he did not.
Ogulewicz also thanked voters. He served one term.
In November, voters instead elected former city councilor James P. Kwiecinski, who ran for mayor in 2009, who garnered the most votes with 2,704 and newcomer Tamara Smith to at large positions. McCoy and Nathan Ziegler won re-election.
Jennifer Hays, the only candidate running for Cobb’s Precinct 2 seat, will now serve.
On Jan. 2, all nine councilors, including other incumbents Joy E. Winnie, Daniel C. Hagan, Daniel D. Rist and Salem Derby, will be sworn in at ceremonies at noon at 50 Payson Ave. Karen Cadieux the city’s second ever mayor will also take the oath along with School Committee newcomers Wendy Bloomenthal and Daniel Carey and incumbents Debora Lusnia, Lori Ingraham, Peter Gunn and Laura Scott.