Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra on May 21 presented to the City Council a $145,301,999 budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, an increase of 4.8 percent from this year.
The fiscal year 2026 budget includes $43,894,984 for Northampton Public Schools, up by $2,439,644, or 5.88 percent, from this year.
Superintendent Portia Bonner earlier said that the proposed appropriation would not result in any layoffs for the next fiscal year, though it is $655,722 less than the level-services budget she had presented to the School Committee. That reduction would be accomplished by not replacing some retiring staff and cuts to supplies and programs across the district’s six schools.
The School Committee on April 10 voted 8-2 to recommend a $46,610,090 budget for the next fiscal year, which would be a 12.43 percent increase. In her budget message, the mayor stated: “Unfortunately, it is not possible to build a fiscally responsible budget based on this request, and some of the School Committee members who voted for the recommendation even acknowledged that in practice it would be fiscally irresponsible.”
The proposed budget also includes $326,392 to hire eight additional firefighters and $52,410 for one new public safety dispatcher because of the increase in emergency calls.
Most other municipal departments would receive smaller increases. The total budgeted for Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School is $11,794,397; Police, $6,895,628; Public Works, $4,366,650; Information Technology Services, $2,075,940; Central Services, $2,045,640; Forbes Library, $1,610,650; and Health and Human Services, $1,390,931
Here is a link to the fiscal year 2026 budget:
https://northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/30931/Mayors-FY2026-Budget-PDF?bidId=
The budget also is available in print at the city clerk’s office, 210 Main St.; Forbes Library, 20 West St.; and Lilly Library, 19 Meadow St., Florence.
The City Council’s Finance Committee, of which I am vice chair, has scheduled public hearings on the budget at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, June 4, in the City Council chambers, 212 Main St.
Here is the Zoom link for remote participation (passcode 571452):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83316764456
These budgets will be presented May 27: Health and Human Services, Northampton Public Schools.
These budgets will be presented June 4: Fire/Rescue, Police, Public Works, Central Services, Climate Action and Project Administration.
The Leeds Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, May 25, at Leeds Memorial Park across from the Leeds School.
The ceremony will include the unveiling of a monument honoring Donald M. Ducharme and Donald R. Smith, members of the military from Leeds who were killed in action.
The 157th annual Memorial Day parade in Florence will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, from Trinity Row. Organized by the Veterans Council of Northampton, the parade will proceed to the Park Street Cemetery for a ceremony honoring fallen service members.
The parade will include units from local veterans groups, Northampton police and fire departments, civic and youth organizations, and elected officials. I look forward to being among them.
Downtown summer music
Again this summer, free concerts and Salsa instruction will be featured at downtown venues.
Strong Avenue will be closed to motor vehicle traffic starting Thursday, May 29, through the summer to allow for outdoor dining and live music. The Summer on Strong schedule is available here: https://www.summeronstrong.com
Also returning is Bands on Brewster in the Brewster Court walkway between the E.J. Gare Parking Garage and Northampton Brewery. The free concert series will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays from June 5 through Aug. 28 as a partnership between the city and Northampton Brewery. The schedule is available here: https://www.northamptonartscouncil.org/news/bands-on-brewster-2025
The city also is sponsoring Salsa in the Plaza, 44 Kirkland Ave., between the garage and Thornes Marketplace from 3 to 5 p.m. Sundays from June 1 through Aug. 31.
The free Salsa classes and dancing will be led by McCoy Jamison. More information is available here:
Nitrous oxide
The Northampton Board of Health on April 17 voted unanimously to adopt restrictions on the sale of nitrous oxide that take effect Sunday, June 15.
Starting then, the sale of nitrous oxide will be allowed only in licensed kitchen supply and medical supply stores. Sales will be restricted to people ages 21 and older and businesses are required to verify age with a photo identification.
The regulations result from increased recreational use of nitrous oxide, which is a central nervous system depressant that when inhaled deprives the brain of oxygen and produces a brief euphoric effect. While nitrous oxide has legitimate uses in medicine and the food industry, its abuse poses health risks including short- and long-term damage to the brain, nerves, liver, and kidneys, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Businesses that violate the regulations will be subject to fines, suspension of sales of nitrous oxide products, and possible criminal charges.
Health and Human Services Commissioner Merridith O’Leary stated: “Our goal is to reduce access to nitrous oxide for recreational use and protect public health – especially among young people – while ensuring that businesses clearly understand and can comply with the new rules.”
The complete regulations are available here:
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