A proposed ordinance updating the location of Pioneer Valley Transit Authority bus stops in Northampton will be reviewed by the City Council’s Committee on Legislative Matters at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 10, in the City Council chambers, 212 Main St.
Remote participation is available by using this Zoom link (passcode 453644):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83438719977
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, which voted a positive recommendation on Oct. 21, and the Committee on Legislative Matters. Its recommendation is expected to go to the full City Council on Thursday, Nov. 20.
The proposed ordinance is available here:
https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/25995?fileID=210777
A list of proposed changes is available here:
https:/northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/25995?fileID=210778
A memo explaining why the ordinance is needed is available here:
https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/25995?fileID=210779
Also on the agenda is a proposed ordinance recommended by the Transportation and Parking Commission on Oct. 21 to make the intersection of Prospect Avenue, Blackberry Lane and Warburton Way a four-way stop. New stop signs would be installed in both directions on Prospect Avenue and on Blackberry Lane. Warburton Way, a private road, already has a stop sign at that intersection.
A recommendation by the Committee on Legislative Matters is expected to go to the full City Council on Thursday, Nov. 20.
The proposed ordinance is available here:
https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/25944?fileID=210619
Veterans Day Parade
The Veterans Council of Northampton will sponsor a Veterans Day Parade in Florence on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Participants will line up at 10:15 a.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8006, 18 Meadow St., with the parade beginning at 11 a.m. and proceeding to Trinity Row for a ceremony featuring guest speaker Casey Fowler, a U.S. Navy veteran.
Ordinance Review Committee
The Ordinance Review Committee, of which I am a member, will hold a virtual meeting at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12, to discuss the ordinance regulating mobile food vehicles.
Among the possible changes is allowing those vehicles in the Central Business and Florence Village districts where they are now prohibited.
The mobile food vehicle ordinance is available here:
https://ecode360.com/11955635#11955635
The committee also will review the city’s new outdoor lighting ordinance that was approved in February 2024. It is available here:
Remote participation is available by using this Zoom link (Passcode 196851):
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.
Fall Clothing & Gear Drive
The city’s Department of Health & Human Services is sponsoring a Fall Clothing & Gear Drive through Friday, Nov. 14, to support people who need warm clothing or outdoor gear.
Suggested donations include tents, sleeping bags, pants, coats, sweaters, gloves, winter hats, socks, boots, and thermal wear.
Items may be dropped off at the Division of Community Care, 1 Roundhouse Plaza; Puchalski Municipal Building, 212 Main St.; Memorial Hall, 240 Main St.; Forbes Library, 20 West St.; Northampton Fire Rescue headquarters, 26 Carlon Drive; Northampton Police Department, 29 Center St.; and Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St.
Prospect Place celebration
Valley Community Development Corp. will celebrate the opening of its new apartment building, Prospect Place, 737 Bridge Road, at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 17. .
The former nursing home has been redeveloped into 60 units of affordable housing in studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments
State and local officials are scheduled to speak and tours will follow.
State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa
The City Council Committee on Community Resources will meet with state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 17, in the City Council chambers, 212 Main St.
She will discuss issues in the Legislature.
A Zoom link for remote participation will be available on the agenda when it is posted no later than Thursday, Nov. 13.
Message from Alena Bartoli
Congratulations to Alena Bartoli who Nov. 4 was elected to the Ward 1 School Committee seat. She will take office in January.
Here is her message to Ward 1 residents:
Hello friends and neighbors!
As I prepare to take office as the Ward 1 School Committee member, I’m looking forward to connecting in person and via email around your vision and needs for our schools!
To do this … join my email list!
Please drop me an email at: alenaforward1@gmail.com & tell me something about yourself and your family!
I’m planning to send regular post-School Committee meeting summaries as well as the occasional update about school-related events in & around Ward 1 and opportunities to connect in-person to share hopes, dreams and concerns about our district.
Taking responsibility for the education of all our children is a team effort and I’ll need your input and support to do it effectively!
Full heartedly,
Alena
Stan