Editor’s note: The Greenfield Recorder is publishing stories about what Franklin County residents can likely expect to see happening in their communities in 2024.

GREENFIELD — The start of the new year will also mark new leadership at the helm of the city, as Virginia “Ginny” Desorgher steps into the mayoral role this month.

The legislative branch, too, starts fresh with the new year, with several new faces after the Nov. 2, 2023 election. John Garrett and Wahab Minhas have stepped into seats vacated by at-large councilors Phil Elmer and Christine Forgey, who did not seek reelection.

Incumbent councilors Katherine Golub and John Bottomley and newcomers Rachel Gordon and Michael Mastrototaro were all voted into office as well. Gordon and Mastrototaro will fill seats vacated by City Council President Dan Guin and Desorgher, who was Precinct 3’s councilor before her election to mayor.

The head of schools will also see a change later in the year, as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Learning Karin Patenaude steps in for Superintendent Christine DeBarge, who announced her intent to retire at the end of the current academic year.

Desorgher noted that several department head positions will need to be filled in the coming year, namely the health director, director of energy and sustainability, and a chief procurement officer.

With several major capital projects having wrapped up in 2023, the new fire station will be among those left to complete in the new year. According to Fire Chief Robert Strahan, construction is expected to be done by the end of January, but due to supply chain delays related to the electric work, move-in isn’t expected until March or April.

“There are several major projects underway that will require collaboration from the executive office to bring progress and continued quality of life to the city in the next four years,” former Mayor Roxann Wedegartner said in a statement. “I wish Mayor Desorgher and the citizens of Greenfield the best of luck in continuing to make our small city one of the best in the state.”

Other ongoing projects include Court Square renovations and the Main Street redesign, which aims to implement a complete street rehabilitation, including safety upgrades to pedestrian, bicycle and transit accommodations. In 2023, a downtown parking study was completed as part of the Main Street project. The former Wilson’s Department Store redevelopment project — though not a city initiative — will also make forward progress in 2024.

Desorgher’s Chief of Staff Keith Barnicle, who previously served as a communications director for Wedegartner, said the Main Street project will continue in the planning/preparedness stage this year, with more visible impacts expected in 2025.

Communications Director Matt Conway added that the city hopes to improve meeting accessibility by ensuring boards that don’t offer remote access or hybrid participation are set up to do so. This includes the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals, for example.

“We’re capable, we just need to put the word out,” Desorgher said.

Desorgher also hopes to institute a “walk with the mayor” program, offering residents a chance to meet with her regularly. Conway added that Desorgher plans to establish strong relations with both the School Committee and City Council, the latter of which she served on prior to becoming mayor.

“In general,” Barnicle said, “her view on the city is to move it forward … and City Council and School Committee are a big part of that.”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter (X): @MaryEByrne.