The City Council on Thursday unanimously approved spending $426,218 from the city’s general stabilization fund for emergency repairs to Memorial Hall where plaster recently fell from the ceiling in the Veterans Services Department and chunks of granite and brick fell near the west side entrance beside Pulaski Park, which is now closed.
Leaking water and flooding in the basement has resulted in deteriorating brick masonry, a crumbling foundation, and mold in the building, which was constructed between 1871 and 1873. It originally served as a library and museum. and housed the American Legion post until the 1970s. Several city departments now have offices in the building.
The work will include rebuilding two brick arches and 18 support columns with concrete footings in the basement and repairing the west entrance. They are part of a more extensive project proposed in the city’s Capital Improvement Plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, including $30,000 to replace the front roof on Memorial Hall.
Capital Improvement Program
The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed Capital Improvement Program at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 21, in the City Council chambers, Wallace J. Puchalski Municipal Building, 212 Main St. There also will be remote participation via Zoom and the link will be included on the meeting agenda posted no later than March 19.
Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra has submitted a plan that calls for spending $108,849,050 total during the next five fiscal years through June 30, 2029. That includes $21,719,252 in capital spending during fiscal year 2025, which begins July 1. Capital projects include new buildings, renovations, equipment purchases, and land acquisitions costing $10,000 or more.
Much of that money would pay for improvements to municipal and school buildings, and energy management systems, to meet the city’s goal of net carbon neutrality by 2030. During the fiscal year beginning July 1, three hybrid vehicles for the Department of Health and Human Services ($145,764) and three hybrid cruisers for the Police Department ($228,232) would be purchased.
Major expenses during fiscal year 2025 include $8.5 million for improvements to the wastewater treatment plant and pump stations, $2 million for street resurfacing, $1.1 million to replace a 1999 fire engine, and $425,000 to replace a 2016 ambulance.
The Capital Improvement Program is available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JIuoe-rVQiVvt7HX4qN7DocQs8zig6Eb/view
There also are copies in the city clerk’s office, 210 Main St.; Forbes Library, 20 West St.; and Lilly Library, 19 Meaow St., Florence.
Water and sewer rates
The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed water and sewer rates at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 21, in the City Council chambers, Wallace J. Puchalski Municipal Building, 212 Main St. There also will be remote participation via Zoom and the link will be included on the meeting agenda posted no later than March 19.
The rates are for fiscal year 2025, beginning July 1.
Gambling disorder screening
The Northampton Recovery Center and Forbes Library will sponsor a free event as part of gambling disorder screening day from 2 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 12, at the library, 20 West St.
People are invited to take part in a brief screening for gambling practices that may lead to financial, emotional, social, occupational, or physical problems. The first 25 participants will receive a $5 gift card from Dunkin’.
Funding for the screening is provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling Services. State officials estimate that between 83,000 and 135,000 adults in Massachusetts are experiencing problems with gambling.
Questions about Tuesday’s screening at Forbes Library may be directed to Trevor Dayton (413-834-4127), outreach coordinator at the Recovery Center, 25 Armory St. .
Water service line inventory
The Department of Public Works requests that owners of homes and businesses in Northampton complete the water service line inventory that was mailed with utility bills earlier this year.
Information about the inventory also is available here:
https://www.northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/23547/Northampton-Water-Service-Line-Inventory?bidId=
The state Department of Environmental Protection requires the city to identify lead lines on both public and private water services. Lead can enter the drinking water of homes or businesses when old pipes are corroded.
If owners prefer, the Department of Public Works will conduct a free survey in a home or business. That may be requested by calling 413-587-1570 or emailing [email protected].
Friends of Northampton Trails
The Friends of Northampton Trails invites people to help shape its short- and long-term goals and activities by participating in an online survey that should take about five minutes to complete,
The survey, which closes at midnight, Friday, March 15, is available here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIG-mktT3BUcmphT3CY29rxAVUsSf1YWpDa83XZ_cjQYMUag/viewform
Friends of Northampton Trails enhances the trail network and sponsors activities for users. More information is available at: http://fntrails.org/
Stan