The Ordinance Review Committee, of which I was a member, on Dec. 31 filed its final report that will be reviewed by the incoming City Council. The committee held 17 meetings over 10 months and received testimony from municipal officials and the public.

Among the measures recommended for adoption or revision are changes to the sign ordinance to comply with recent Supreme Court decisions about regulating content; requiring property owners to keep sidewalks clear of vegetation to a height sufficient to ensure clear access; phasing out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers on municipal and private property; and rescinding ordinances that prohibit hitchhiking and using obscene or profane language when addressing another person.

Among the topics recommended for further study are changes to the ordinances regulating mobile food vehicles and the clearing of snow and ice from sidewalks.

Among the recommended “housekeeping” changes is removing gender-specific references from the Code of Ordinances.

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’s work is overseen by the city solicitor.

The other members of the committee were Ward 4 Councilor Jeremy Dubs, chair; at-large Councilor Garrick Perry, vice chair; and mayoral appointees Dane Kuttler and Molly Moses.

The full report is available here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13OEJ2YYs2NmPE9qg4eIEY1CCc-Uw3O8Pxp5iOBvzn2I/edit?tab=t.0

Inauguration

The 2026 City of Northampton Inauguration will be held at the Senior Center, 67 Conz. St., at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 5.

Officials who will be sworn in are the mayor, city councilors, members of the School Committee, trustees of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, trustees of Forbes Library, and the elector under the Oliver Smith will.

Among them is my successor, Gwen Nabad. Here is her message as she prepares to take office:

Hello, Ward 1 residents! I am honored to serve you as the City Councilor for Ward 1. Here we are, ready for Monday’s inauguration!

The City of Northampton continues to thrive despite the confusing changes we see nationally – like an axle, we continue to stand strong in our progressive values. I am ready for it!

You may subscribe to my newsletter by sending a request to gwenforward1@gmail.com. I plan to hold office hours, and the days/location will be announced over the next month.

Endless thanks to Stan for all his support, and years of service to our city. Stay tuned! Gwen

Thank you for electing me to two terms as your city councilor. It has been a privilege to serve with many colleagues in municipal government who care deeply about making Northampton a better community for all of us.

Stan