Change has come to North Adams. The incumbent mayor is on his way out and a new face is in for the first time in 26 years. Sabina Kuriakose has local reaction to a historic win.

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Indeed, Mayor Barrett fought until the end for a 14th term in office. But his loss to city councilman Dick Alcombright reveals the depths to which this election has divided North Adams.

"Twenty-six years ago, we were at the bottom. Now we're at 70 percent. Dick Alcombright, new blood, will bring us 100 percent," said a longtime North Adams resident.

Alcombright and his supporters said change was the watchword of his campaign.

"I think it's the message we've been saying. A positive, moving forward message," said Alcombright.

Barrett supporters expressed disappointment and loss for a political legacy that spanned almost three decades.

"I think he did a damn good job and I'm sorry to see him go," said one supporter.

With the excitement of election season over, both Barrett and Alcombright supporters agree the question is, now what happens?

"I just hope this new guy can do what he says and walk the walk, but I don't know," said a Barret supporter.

"We can't live in the past, we can look back and see what we've accomplished but we can't live there and we have to move forward," said Alcombright.

As Massachusetts' "mayor for life" John Barrett makes his exit from office, change will indeed come to North Adams.