The City Council on Thursday approved a resolution supporting an embargo on sales by the United States of offensive weapons to Israel. I joined with the resolution’s sponsor, Jeremy Dubs of Ward 4; Alex Jarrett of Ward 5; Marianne LaBarge of Ward 6; and Rachel Maiore of Ward 7 in supporting the measure.
At-large councilors Marissa Elkins and Garrick Perry, and Deborah Klemer of Ward 2 and Quaverly Rothenberg of Ward 3 abstained, with some saying that they wanted to take more time to hear from the community.
The resolution urges U.S. Senators Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren and Congressman Jim McGovern to support the legislation filed in September by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and other senators that would block the sale from the U.S. to Israel of offensive weapons worth a total of more than $20 billion.
The resolution also asks Markey, Warren and McGovern to introduce additional legislation “to impose a total and immediate embargo on unrestricted sales and shipment of weapons to Israel.”
In my remarks supporting the measure, I said that it builds on a resolution that I cosponsored calling for a ceasefire in Gaza that was approved by the City Council on Feb. 27. That earlier resolution also urged suspension of unrestricted military aid from the United States to Israel.
Fifty people from throughout the Valley who offered public comments at Thursday’s City Council meeting addressed the latest resolution, with many voicing support.
The full text of the resolution is available here:
https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/24167?fileID=198141
Veterans Day Parade
The Veterans Council of Northampton will sponsor a Veterans Day Parade in Florence on Monday, Nov. 11.
Participants will line up at 10:30 a.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8006, with the parade beginning at 11 a.m. and proceeding to Trinity Row for a ceremony featuring guest speaker Russ Warriner, a Vietnam War veteran.
Budget ‘listening sessions’
The City Council Committee on Finance, of which I am vice chair, will hold “listening sessions” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, and Monday, Nov. 18, in the City Council chambers, 212 Main St., to hear from the public about the municipal budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.
People who want to participate remotely may use this Zoom link (passcode 693850): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89695471137
This Is an opportunity for city councilors to hear from residents about their spending priorities before the formal process of approving next year’s budget begins in early 2025. Participants are asked to limit their comments to three minutes or less.
Anyone unable to attend may email comments to [email protected].
Outdoor fire ban
Northampton on Nov. 5 declared a temporary ban on all outdoor fires in response to the continuing dry weather and a series of brush fires throughout the state.
All outdoor fire permits are temporarily suspended, covering the use of fire pits, outdoor fireplaces and other recreational open flames.
Residents also are advised to:
- Avoid using outdoor cooking or heating equipment.
- Refrain from using lawnmowers, ATVs, and other power tools near dry vegetation.
- Dispose of ashes from fireplaces in a metal can and douse them with water.
- Fully extinguish all smoking materials in water or sand.
The city took action after a brush fire earlier this month burned 52 acres at the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area.
The National Weather Service has consistently issued “red flag warnings” this month because of the elevated risk for wildfires. At least 155 fires burned more than 300 acres across Massachusetts last week, according to the state Department of Fire Services.
Health survey
The city’s Department of Health & Human Services invites residents to complete a comprehensive community survey as part of the Healthier Northampton initiative. The survey is open to all Northampton residents and is expected to take about 12 minutes to complete.
Health Commissioner Merridith O’Leary states, “By participating in this survey, residents will help the DHHS make informed decisions about future health programs and policies. Understanding real experiences with healthcare and resident concerns is essential for developing impactful and meaningful strategies.”
The DHHS hopes to receive at least 5,000 responses from city residents across all ages, genders, economic backgrounds, and lived experiences.
The survey is available in English and Spanish here:
https://northamptonma.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4H001fQDiZl8Khg
Anyone who wants a paper copy or to complete the survey by telephone may call 413-587-1214
Lead in drinking water
The city Department of Public Works is mailing letters to a total of 2,314 property owners who are serviced by water lines that are verified to contain lead or may contain lead.
The letters contain information about health effects of lead, steps to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water, opportunities to replace lead service lines, and financing for homeowners to replace lead service lines.
Questions may be directed to the Northampton Water Division at 413-587-1570 or by emailing [email protected]
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