Spending $18,000 for a proposed universal-access trail from the Cooke Avenue entrance to the Broad Brook Greenway is one of six projects recommended by the Community Preservation Committee that the City Council considered on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

The unpaved, one-third-mile trail, known as Boggy Meadow Road, would allow users of all abilities access to one of the city’s most popular open spaces, including a scenic beaver pond. It also would allow vehicular access to the Fitzgerald Lake dam for maintenance.

The proposed new trail would complement the city’s redevelopment of 196 Cooke Ave., the site of the former Moose Lodge that was demolished last year.

The city plans to pave the existing parking lot on the eastern side of the property, near the access trail, with 21 spaces, including two that are handicap accessible. There also will be a rack for bicycles.

The city proposes to sell a portion of the western side of the property to Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity for four single-family homes owned by first-time home buyers.

Community Preservation Act projects are funded with money raised by a 3 percent surcharge on real estate property taxes. The projects must support affordable housing, historic preservation, open space, or recreation.

The other projects recommended by the Community Preservation Committee for consideration by the City Council this month call for spending:

  • $535,000 to design an accessible multi-use trail within the Connecticut River Greenway from Damon Road to Hatfield. City officials anticipate that federal money will be available to pay for construction of the trail.
  • $420,000 to complete construction costs needed by Valley Community Development Corp. for 20 units of affordable housing on Laurel Street.
  • $350,000 for the Parks & Recreation Department to construct six pickleball courts at Ray Ellerbrook Field, 48 Burts Pit Road.
  • $75,000 to complete design of a multi-use trail within the Rocky Hill Greenway. The city has secured $3.6 million in federal money to construct the trail.
  • $65,000 for Historic Northampton to preserve its clothing collection.

The City Council on Tuesday sent the six projects to the agenda of its next meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 21, for an expected vote of approval.

“Back from the Brink” resolution

The City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 5, began considering a resolution that I cosponsored with Ward 2 Councilor Karen Foster calling on the United States to embrace the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons that was approved by 122 nations in July 2017. The treaty makes it illegal under international law to develop, test, produce, manufacture, or otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

The United States, however, is among the nations controlling nuclear weapons that have not ratified the treaty.

This resolution mirrors one unanimously endorsed by the City Council on Nov. 16, 2017, calling on the United States to “pull back from the brink” in an effort to prevent nuclear war.

The current resolution calls for diverting some of the estimated $90 billion that the United States will spend on maintaining its nuclear arsenal this year to programs addressing the climate crisis, recovery from the pandemic and other social services.

During my remarks supporting the resolution, I cited Congressman James McGovern’s address to the United Nations last week when he called for “a massive outpouring of grassroots action in support of nuclear arms control and ending the threat of nuclear weapons.”

The resolution us available here:

https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/22267?fileID=186406

It is scheduled for a vote of approval during the final City Council meeting of this term at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 21.

Outdoor lighting ordinance

The City Council Committee on Legislative Matters, of which I am a member, and Planning Board will continue its joint hearing on an updated ordinance regulating outdoor lighting at 5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 11, in the second-floor hearing room at City Hall, 210 Main St.

Here is the Zoom link (passcode 279513) for remote participation:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89756598600

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 latest revised version of the proposed ordinance is available here:

https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/22329?fileID=186513

Sending my best wishes to you and your loved ones during this season of holidays!

Stan