Geno Levi Shara sworn in for second term as Northampton mayor, urges unity and local action

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — Geno Levi Shara was sworn in for a second term as mayor of Northampton on Jan. 5, 2026, in a ceremony that included an invocation, musical performances and remarks urging residents and officials to work together on affordable housing, public schools and infrastructure.

The oath of office was administered by City Clerk Pamela Powers, who introduced the duties she oversees, including public records and the formal administration of oaths. "I, Geno Levi Shara, do solemnly affirm that I will support the constitution of The United States," the mayor recited as part of the oath during the ceremony.

In his inaugural address, Mayor Shara emphasized local responsibility in the face of national challenges, saying that with federal support less reliable "it is even more important that we, at home, lock arms, stand together, and work through our toughest problems to the best of our ability with both principle and flexibility." He outlined priorities for the term: expanding affordable housing, supporting public schools, energizing downtowns, building environmental resiliency, improving accessibility of infrastructure and enhancing coordinated public safety.

Shara noted turnover in local governing bodies and framed participation as a sign of a healthy local democracy: "Not a single person who was serving on the city council or the Northampton school committee when I was first sworn in is serving on those bodies today," he said, and added that many residents have served in those capacities over the past 12 years.

The mayor also criticized federal policy directions in broad terms during his remarks, saying the current White House has "created public health crises instead of working to protect against them," and that it has taken actions that weaken federal agencies and funding that municipalities often rely on. Those statements were made as part of a broader argument for municipal self-reliance and partnership across local, state and nonprofit sectors; no federal official responded at the ceremony.

The program opened with Gail Perlman welcoming attendees and calling out local and regional leaders in attendance. An invocation by Rabbi Jacob Klein asked officials to use their offices to "make conditions more just, more humane, and more livable for ourselves and for others," and a community chorus performed "This Land Is Your Land." Asani/Sani Faraha led the Pledge of Allegiance earlier in the program.

The ceremony included the formal swearing in of multiple bodies: "Today, Northampton has sworn in 5 new city council members, 7 new school committee members, 2 new Forbes library trustees," Shara said during his remarks, noting that some other positions had been sworn in earlier as required by charter. Trustees for Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School and others were also sworn during the program.

Reverend Dr. Andrea Avesian closed the program with a benediction urging elected officials to act with courage and compassion "At such a time as this, we need guides." The event concluded with the host inviting attendees to refreshments.

No formal votes or policy adoptions were taken at the ceremony; the program focused on ceremonial oaths, music, prayer and the mayoral address outlining policy priorities and a call for civic collaboration.