EASTHAMPTON — In the wake of Mayor Nicole LaChapelle’s resignation, city councilors met Wednesday night to discuss paths forward to find an interim mayor, leaving the City Council president with a decision to make.
According to the city charter, if a vacancy in the office of mayor occurs in the last nine months of their term, the president of the City Council shall become the mayor. With an election scheduled for Nov. 4, City Council President Salem Derby has not made a decision to accept the position as interim mayor.
“I’m going to make my decision here shortly, which I have not made because it’s a big one.” Derby said at Wednesday’s meeting.
After LaChapelle’s last day as mayor on Tuesday, Derby will become interim mayor if the council does not elect another council member. If Derby does not accept the role as interim mayor, a vote will be opened for another council member, leaving their seat vacant until the election.
If Derby was to accept the seat, he would become interim mayor until the election in November. His seat as president of the council would be vacant until the election, remaining open for his return.
The council meeting took place hours after LaChapelle announced that she had been appointed commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) by Gov. Maura Healey, effective July 21. She will replace Brian Arrigo, who is leaving the administration to take a job as vice chancellor of finance and operations at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
“I’ve worked with Mayor LaChapelle for many years, and I am thrilled she is joining our administration,” said Healey in a press release from the DCR.
LaChapelle was first elected as mayor in 2018, announcing in 2023 that she would not seek reelection, fulfilling a promise she made when first elected to step down following her third term. Her third term was previously planned to after Dec. 31 before her resignation.
“I am so grateful, and the work that we have done as a city for seven years leaves a lot of options and paths forward for the city,” LaChapelle said of her time as mayor in an interview with the Gazette.
In the past three months, LaChapelle has been working to create a framework for the mayoral transition in November, emphasizing the importance of continuity in local government. The framework is designed to help acquaint the newly appointed mayor with current capital plans, budgeting and other components necessary for the mayor to understand.
“I’m so excited, so grateful and it’s so surreal that Gov. Healey asked me to step up for this role,” LaChapelle said about her appointment. “(The DCR’s) attention to climate issues and resilience is something I have worked on a lot in Easthampton.”
During her time as mayor, LaChapelle partnered with the Kestrel Land Trust, creating an initiative to build 90 units of affordable housing and conserve the meadows, hayfields, and forests along the Manhan River. She partnered with the land trust again to secure 23 acres for the Mount Tom North Trailhead Park. Additionally, LaChapelle spearheaded the Green Infrastructure Plan, designed to restore natural resources and clean rivers. The grant oversaw the redesign of the New City neighborhood, creating a new park, adding multi-use paths and creating the sewer system in Easthampton.
“We were lucky to have her as mayor,” Derby said. “She did a lot of positive things and I hope she has a fruitful and successful next chapter.”
LaChapelle oversaw the construction of River Valley Co-op and Mountain View School. She led the city through the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining city stability. In 2024, LaChapelle served as the president of the Massachusetts Municipal Mayors Association. Prior to her time as mayor, she served as an attorney using her J.D. in law to focus on civil rights advocacy, specifically pertaining to education and disabilities.
“Mayors know how to get things done,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said in a statement. “We are so grateful to Brian Arrigo for his dedicated service to our parks these past few years, and we are excited to welcome Nicole LaChapelle to our team. I know she will hit the ground running bringing fun activities to our kids and families, maintaining our beautiful outdoor spaces, and helping us stay cool and safe at our pools and waterfronts this summer.”
Sam Ferland can be reached at sferland@gazettenet.com
