The City Council voted 6-2 on July 10 to postpone until its next meeting Aug. 21 deciding whether to approve a request by the Northampton Commission for the study of Reparations to extend its work for another year. Councilor Rachel Maiore of Ward 7 was absent.
Quaverly Rothenberg of Ward 3 and Jeremy Dubs of Ward 4 opposed the delay, saying they wanted to immediately approve the extension.
I voted with the majority to delay the decision until the commission has the opportunity to meet and select a new chair to succeed Ousmane Power-Greene, who resigned after its last meeting June 10. The commission voted then to submit a report to the City Council and mayor, subject to possible editing if the commission is given more time to work, including seeking additional suggestions from members of the city’s Black community.
The report submitted June 16 calls for “the creation of a permanent implementation body or bodies … to carry forward the recommendations in this report, support future truth-telling, and reparative efforts, and ensure accountability in city government and, additionally, extend this Study Commission.”
Other recommendations include creating a reserve account for reparations; allocating city money to support private reparations work by community organizations; continuing police reforms; encouraging, assisting and promoting Black-owned businesses; and assisting first-time Black homeowners with down payments and closing costs.
Extending a special commission requires approval by both the City Council and mayor. The City Council on Nov. 21, granted an extension of the original deadline from Oct. 5, 2024, to March 6, 2025.
The commission, which began meeting Aug. 24, 2023, was established after the City Council in February 2023 unanimously approved a resolution calling for an investigation of racialized harms perpetrated against Black residents and workers in Northampton.
The June 16 report is available here:
https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/25414?fileID=204977
An addendum is available here:
https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/25414?fileID=204976
The commission’s website is at:
https://www.northamptonma.gov/2508/Northampton-Reparations-Study-Commission
The resolution approved by the City Council is available here:
https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/20871?fileID=177683
Energy advocate
Northampton, Easthampton, and Westhampton are partnering with Mass Save, a collaboration of electric and natural gas utilities, to bring energy-saving opportunities to all residents through the Community First Partnership.
The three communities share a regional energy advocate, Hannah Davis, who provides one-on-one support to help residents take advantage of available energy-efficiency programs.
Information is available about scheduling a no-cost home energy assessment, exploring rebates and incentives, and determining if you qualify for income-eligible upgrades. Assistance also is available to renters, landlords, and multi-family property owners in navigating specialized offerings, including insulation and heating improvements.
People may contact Davis by calling 413-529-1400, ext. 781, or visiting https://www.masssave.com/community-first/hamptons.
Taste of Northampton
The Taste of Northampton, which was revived in 2022 after an absence of about two decades, will expand this year to two days and return to the Armory Street parking lot where it originally was held.
Restaurants and breweries in the city will showcase food and beverages at the event sponsored by the Downtown Northampton Association and the City of Northampton from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14.
For the past three years, the Taste of Northampton was held on Main Street during one Saturday in September.
More information is available on the Taste of Northampton Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/tasteofnorthampton
Stan