State Sen. Jo Comerford of Northampton will discuss issues in the Legislature with the City Council’s Committee on Community Resources at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 20, in the City Council chambers, 212 Main St.
Remote participation is available by using this Zoom link (passcode 936356):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87998064717
Bus stop locations
A proposed ordinance updating the location of Pioneer Valley Transit Authority bus stops in Northampton will be reviewed by the Transportation and Parking Commission during its virtual meeting at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Remote participation is available by using this Zoom link (passcode 492099):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86520059396?pwd=IDFytxEiVfG4izxGKZtNOIKM3Rb3x2.1
The revision is needed because only about 20 of the 83 bus stops in the city are listed in the current ordinance.
By cataloguing all of the bus stops, the city can legally and consistently enforce no-parking zones at those locations.
The City Council on Sept. 30 referred the proposed ordinance to the Transportation and Parking Commission and the council’s Committee on Legislative Matters, which is expected to review it in November.
The proposed ordinance is available here:
https://www.northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/34632/Ordinance-312-114-Bus-Stop-locations
A memo explaining why the ordinance is needed is available here:
https://www.northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/34639/memo
Snow and ice removal ordinance
The Ordinance Review Committee, of which I am a member, will hold a virtual meeting at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29, to discuss the ordinance requiring property owners to remove snow and ice from sidewalks, including enforcement issues.
Remote participation is available by using this Zoom link (Meeting ID 876 1970 9726):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87619709726
The city charter requires that in years ending in 5 and 0 a special committee review “some or all of the ordinances of the city to prepare a proposed revision or recodification of them.” The committee will file its report by the end of the year.
Residential conversion of historic structures
The City Council on Oct. 16 unanimously approved an ordinance allowing the conversion to residential use of non-conforming, historic accessory structures.
The ordinance affects approximately 900 structures such as carriage houses, barns and other outbuildings that were constructed before 1976 and do not conform with the setbacks from property lines required by city zoning. At least 70 percent of the structure must have been built before 1976.
The goals are to encourage preservation of historic buildings while increasing housing units in the city. There are no parking requirements for converting any structures that are less than 1,000 square feet.
The ordinance states that “these structures require significant time and money to maintain, and allowing an additional use that brings in revenue for the owner makes them more likely to be preserved.”
In supporting the ordinance, I cited the written testimony received from property owners with buildings that have been unusable for residential purposes, which will now be unlocked.
The Planning Board, Historical Commission and Northampton Housing Partnership all supported the ordinance.
The ordinance is available here:
https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/25911?fileID=210017
Senior and Veteran Tax Work-Off program
The city is accepting applications through Friday, Nov. 14, for the Senior and Veteran Tax Work-Off program for the period from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31, 2026.
Residents aged 60 and older who own property and pay real estate taxes in Northampton and who meet income eligibility guidelines (based on Massachusetts median income levels) may apply. Veterans who own property and pay real estate taxes in Northampton are eligible regardless of income.
Participants in the program for seniors must complete 133.33 hours of volunteer service for municipal departments to receive the full $2,000 tax credit. Veterans may earn a maximum $1,500 tax credit if they complete 100 hours of volunteer service.
In 2024, 49 participants earned a total of $57,497 in tax credits.
Applications are available at the assessor’s office in City Hall, 210 Main St., veterans service office in Memorial Hall, 240 Main St., and the Senior Center, 67 Conz St. Completed senior applications should be delivered to the assessor’s office, and veterans’ applications should be delivered to the veterans’ services office.
Online applications for seniors are available here:
https://northamptonma.gov/2066/Senior-Tax-Work-Off-Program
Online applications for veterans are available here:
https://northamptonma.gov/1455/Veteran-Property-Tax-Work-Off-Program
Stan