EASTHAMPTON — With an election looming on Nov. 4, City Council President Salem Derby has accepted the role as interim mayor.
“I’m honored to step in during this important transitional time,” Derby said in a statement to the Gazette. “While this was not a role I anticipated, I’m committed to ensuring stability and continued progress for our city as we move toward the next chapter in leadership. I thank Mayor LaChapelle for her years of service and look forward to working with city staff, residents and the city council during this interim period.”
According to the city charter, if a vacancy in the office of mayor occurs in the last nine months of a term, the president of the City Council shall become the mayor.
Derby will take office effective July 16, after Mayor Nicole LaChapelle announced she would resign from office effective July 15, after accepting a position as the commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). LaChapelle was first elected as mayor in 2018, announcing in 2023 that she would not seek reelection.
Derby will serve as the first interim mayor in Easthampton’s history, according to Derby. Through this transition, Derby will maintain his seat on the council as president, though he will not be able to vote on council decisions unless there is a tie in votes. He plans on returning to his seat as council president after the election.
“My goal is to make things as smooth as possible,” Derby said in an interview Friday. “To create as few disruptions for the department heads and the city as we can possibly muster. This transitional time is not a normal thing. I’ve worked with every mayor Easthampton has had so I have a pretty solid idea of what needs to happen.”
Derby is about to finish his 22nd year on the City Council, joining in 2003. Derby noted he has ample experience working in the Easthampton government, having served on the council under every mayor. The next official mayor will be the fourth for Easthampton, following LaChapelle, Karen Cadieux and Michael A. Tautznik.
“I think we are pretty well poised to be able to keep things running really smoothly through the transition …” Derby said. “I feel good. I feel like I am well positioned to steer us through this uncharted territory and I want to do my best to help the city maintain the status quo throughout this time.”
Aside from his seat on the council, Derby serves as a teacher at Northampton High School teaching wellness and physical education, and is active in the Easthampton community.
The city began accepting formal filings for mayoral candidates on July 1, according to the City Clerk’s office. With the deadline for candidate filings on Sept. 16, Derby could start a formal campaign for mayor, though he said he has no intentions to do so.
“You can tell by the amount of time I have served as city councilor I really care about Easthampton and I’ve tried to be involved not just in the government and law of the city, but also be involved in all aspects of making Easthampton a really enjoyable place for people to live.”
Mayoral candidates
Current candidates for mayor include City Councilor At-Large Jason “JT” Tirrell, mayoral Executive Assistant Lindsi Sekula and city resident Robert Laferriere. Sekula was the first to announce her candidacy followed by Tirrell and Laferriere.
“As Easthampton enters this period of transition, I want residents to know that my commitment to our community remains unwavering,” Sekula said in a statement posted on Facebook. “I will continue in my current role at City Hall, fully focused on providing stability, continuity, and day-to-day leadership … My campaign for mayor continues — strong, focused, and grounded in my deep belief in this city and its people.”
Sekula has served as executive assistant in the mayor’s office for seven years, joining LaChapelle in 2018. Sekula moved to Easthampton in 2018 with her partner after living in Northampton.
“I’m going to stay strong, focused and grounded in my beliefs through this transition and my commitment remains unchanged,” Sekula said about her campaign.
“The city is going to keep running as normal until the election in November,” Sekula said about Derby’s transition as interim mayor. “The city staff feel confident with Salem Derby taking on the transition and I will still be there everyday supporting staff and helping our operations continue.”
Tirrell is a lifelong city resident who has been highly involved in youth sports, previously serving as commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation. He is approaching the end of his first two-year term as an at-large city councilor and has served while being the equipment manager at The Williston Northampton School for the past 13 years.
“I’m glad Salem took the position,” said Tirrell, a 30-year resident of Easthampton. “I think he’s going to do a good job at steering the ship for the next four months … I have all the confidence with him moving forward.”
“My campaign is gaining momentum every day and our message of inclusive, decisive, action-oriented leadership is resonating across Easthampton,” Tirrell said in a statement posted on Facebook. “This is a time of transition — a bridge to a better future. I offer you all a big tent where your voice matters and your opinion is respected.”
Laferriere could not be reached for comment on Friday.
Sam Ferland can be reached at sferland@gazettenet.com
