EASTHAMPTON — Mayor Nicole LaChapelle announced Wednesday she will step down next week after Gov. Maura Healey appointed her commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
On Wednesday afternoon, LaChapelle sent two emails to all Easthampton departments announcing her resignation as mayor, effective July 15. She will replace the current DCR commissioner, Brian Arrigo, who will be stepping down effective July 21 when LaChapelle makes her move.
First elected mayor in 2018, LaChapelle announced 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 end on Dec. 31 before her resignation.
“I decided in 2018 when I took office that I was going to be mayor for eight years,” LaChapelle said in an interview in 2023. “I wanted to pursue open local government, work on infrastructure, economic development and housing.
“It has been a great honor to serve as Mayor of Easthampton — a city rooted in its history and defined by a shared commitment to progress, even when the path forward requires tough decisions …” LaChapelle said in one of her messages reviewed by the Gazette Wednesday. “Over the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside residents, city staff, and local partners to shape a more sustainable and equitable future for Easthampton.” She said she was “deeply grateful and humbled” to be appointed DCR commissioner.
During her time as mayor, LaChapelle has overseen high-profile projects, including the construction of Mountain View School, River Valley Co-op and numerous housing developments at locations such as Ferry Street and Sierra Vista Commons at the former Tasty Top site.
In the email, LaChapelle noted some of her achievements, including improvements totaling over $12 million in federal and state grants for critical water, sewer, and pedestrian improvements.
“DCR parks, playgrounds, and beaches are where Massachusetts residents go to have fun and relax. Our public lands also attract tourists from around the world and fuel our growing outdoor recreation economy,” Healey said in a statement. “Mayor LaChapelle understands the connection our communities have with our DCR properties. She’ll make sure they are safe, clean and accessible to all.”
LaChapelle has had the support of several Democratic Party members, including Healey and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, and Gov. Maura Healey throughout her first election campaign and time in office. Additionally, LaChapelle has worked closely with state Rep. Homar Gómez.
The procedure for filling the mayor’s post was not immediately clear. The mayoral election is scheduled for November. Current candidates include City Councilor Jason “JT” Tirrell, mayoral Executive Assistant Lindsi Sekula and Robert Laferriere.
The next mayor will be the fourth for Easthampton, following LaChapelle, Karen Cadieux and Michael A. Tautznik.
“Easthampton has shown what’s possible when local government leads with transparency, collaboration, and a long-term vision,” LaChapelle said in an email to the city government. “I’m proud of what we’ve built and carry those lessons into this next chapter.”
Arrigo, who became DCR commissioner in April 2023, previously served as the mayor of the city of Revere for seven years. In April this year, Arrigo announced he would be stepping down to take a job as vice chancellor of finance and operations at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Attempts to reach LaChapelle by phone and text were unsuccessful Wednesday afternoon.
Sam Ferland can be reached at sferland@gazettenet.com. Material from State House News Service was used in this report.
