The City Council during its organizational meeting Wednesday elected Alex Jarrett of Ward 5 as president. He defeated Rachel Maiore of Ward 7. She was elected vice president over at-large councilor Marissa Elkins.

I joined Elkins, at-large councilor Garrick Perry and Marianne LaBarge of Ward 6 in supporting Jarrett for president. Maiore received votes from Deborah Pastrich-Klemer of Ward 2 and Jeremy Dubs of Ward 4.

Quaverly Rothenberg of Ward 3 abstained after calling for a charter objection that would have delayed the vote. However, city attorney Alan Seewald ruled that out of order because a charter objection applies to measures such as the adoption of ordinances rather than the election of officers.

In my remarks supporting Jarrett, I cited his leadership during the last two years as chair of the Committee on Legislative Matters; his commitment to residents of all city neighborhoods on issues crossing ward boundaries, such as traffic calming and safety measures for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists; his inclusiveness on a broad range of issues including affordable housing, transportation, education, and public safety; and his encyclopedic knowledge of City Council rules.

For vice president, Maiore was supported by Pastrich-Klemer, Rothenberg, Dubs, Jarrett, and LaBarge. Elkins received votes from me and Perry.

In supporting Elkins, I cited her knowledge of zoning issues resulting from her previous service on the Planning Board, and the broad support she has received across the city in her two successful campaigns for an at-large seat on the City Council.

Outdoor lighting ordinance

The City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to refer a proposed updated ordinance regulating outdoor lighting to the Committee on Legislative Matters for another hearing,

That committee, of which I was a member during the last term, and the Planning Board each voted unanimously after a public hearing Dec. 11 to recommend approval of the ordinance. .

Because the proposed ordinance was mistakenly omitted from the agenda of the Dec. 21 City Council meeting, it was carried over to this term. City attorney Alan Seewald recommended that the City Council’s hearing be reopened.

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. It also would require that commercial lights be turned off no more than one hour after the close of business.

Among the issues expected to be considered is the proposed cap on color, which is measured on the Kelvin scale. Higher numbers are bluer (regarded as “cool” light) and lower numbers are more yellowish, or “warmer.”

The Planning Board recommended a cap of 3000 Kelvin, and the Committee on Legislative Matters recommended 2700 Kelvin. I will continue to support the lower number.

Also, likely to be discussed is whether backlight standards should be changed for Main Street because of its wider sidewalks.

City Council President Alex Jarrett by next week is expected to make assignments to this term’s council committees. A meeting of the Committee on Legislative Matters is then expected to be scheduled later this month.

The latest revised version of the proposed ordinance is available here:

https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/22491?fileID=188401

Holiday tree collection

The Northampton Department of Public Works will collect holiday trees for chipping from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 6, and Saturday, Jan. 13.

Trees that are clear of ornaments, lights, tinsel, plastic bags, netting and metal wires may be dropped off at Smith Vocational High School, 80 Locust St.

The tree collection is available to all Northampton residents.

“Name That Campaign” contest

The mayor’s office this week announced a contest to “Name That Campaign” to support Main Street businesses during the Picture Main Street construction project expected to begin in the fall of 2025.

The city will partner with the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Northampton Association to promote continued patronage of downtown businesses during the project.

“The campaign name will serve as a rallying cry for our shared commitment to supporting Main Street businesses during the Picture Main Street construction project,” said Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra.

Community members may suggest a name by submitting this form by Jan. 31:

https://northamptonma.gov/FormCenter/Online-Forms-3/Name-That-Campaign-161

The campaign name will be announced in February, and the person who submitted the winning entry will receive a $50 Northampton gift card.

Picture Main Street, for which the state is expected to pay $19 million, will channel motor vehicle traffic to one travel lane in each direction with a center turning lane; add physically separated bicycle lanes on both sides of the road; widen sidewalks; shorten crosswalks; reduce the overall number of parking spaces by 57; increase accessible parking spots by two; and add 36 trees.

More information about Picture Main Street is available here:

https://northamptonma.gov/2547/Picture-Main-Street

Stan