Police Chief Jody Kasper on Friday formally notified the city that she will resign effective Jan. 1, 2024, and Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra announced that she will appoint Capt. John Cartledge as interim police chief.
Kasper is leaving the Northampton Police Department after 25 years to become chief of police in Nantucket. Kasper has served Northampton as patrol officer, detective, patrol staff sergeant, patrol lieutenant, detective lieutenant, captain of police operations, and, since June 2015, chief.
A native of Shelburne Falls, Kasper was selected from three finalists to lead the Nantucket Police Department.
Sciarra stated Friday, “Chief Kasper has played a crucial role in helping Northampton through complex discussions regarding policing in the 21st century. Her approach has been characterized by unwavering professionalism, a genuine openness to community concerns, and a deep respect for diverse perspectives.”
Cartledge has worked for the Northampton Police Department since 1995 and is now the captain of administration. A native of Northampton, he has a master’s degree in criminal justice.
Sciarra said the search for a permanent chief will begin with the city issuing a request for proposals from consultants who will assist in recruiting candidates. Once a consultant is selected, a screening committee with municipal officials, residents and other experts will be appointed. The mayor said that the public will be invited to meet with and share their opinions about the final candidates.
Veterans Day Parade
The Veterans Council of Northampton will sponsor a Veterans Day Parade in Florence on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Participants will line up at 10:30 a.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8006 and march to Trinity Row for a ceremony.
Outdoor lighting ordinance
The City Council Committee on Legislative Matters, of which I am a member, and Planning Board will hold a joint hearing on an updated ordinance regulating outdoor lighting at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 13, in the City Council chambers at 212 Main St.
A Zoom link for remote participation will be included with the agenda for the meeting that will be posted no later than Wednesday.
The proposal would replace the existing ordinance that was last updated in 2007. The new ordinance reflects current light-emitting diode (LED) technology and fine-tunes restrictions on glare and other impacts of outdoor lights on neighboring properties and the sky.
The proposed ordinance is available here:
https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/22095?fileID=185191
Northampton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center redevelopment
Valley Community Development Corp. offers this update about its project to redevelop the former nursing home at 737 Bridge Road into 60 units of affordable housing:
Abatement work concluded at 737 Bridge Road in September thanks in large part to grant funding from the MassDevelopment Underutilized Properties Program. This fall, Valley CDC re-applied to the state’s Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities for remaining funding needed for the full renovation and expects to hear a decision in December. If funded, construction would likely start in the middle of 2024 and continue for approximately 12 to 15 months. If you have any questions, please contact project manager William Womeldorf at [email protected].
Stan