The City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a permanent all-way stop at the intersection of Hatfield Street and Cooke Avenue. The City Council during the summer approved the temporary installation of new stop signs in both directions on Hatfield Street beginning in September for a trial period of up to 120 days.

In my remarks supporting making that safety measure permanent, I cited the positive reaction from residents of the neighborhood who have expressed long-standing concerns about the dangers of the intersection

Department of Public Works Director Donna LaScaleia told the City Council on Nov. 21 that the city’s consultant, Fuss & O’Neill of Springfield, during the trial period determined that the new stop signs on Hatfield Street were functioning safely without any unintended consequences.

Previously there were stop signs only on the north and south sides of Cooke Avenue at the intersection. The new stop signs were installed in both directions on Hatfield Street after a safety study was conducted last year by Fuss & O’Neill. It recommended that the intersection be converted to an all-way stop based on the heavy traffic volume on Hatfield Street and sight distances below the minimum state standard for southbound motorists on Cooke Avenue making left or right turns onto Hatfield Street.

In addition, the Police Department reported 14 accidents during a recent five-year period at the intersection.

Sale of 33 King Street

The City Council on Thursday voted 8-0, with Quaverly Rothenberg of Ward 3 abstaining, to approve a new Request for Proposals to redevelop 33 King Street. No bids were submitted after two previous Requests for Proposals were issued by the city during the past year.

The latest document removes language giving preference to proposals that include mixed-income housing, at least 20 parking spaces available to the public five or more days a week, and a multi-story building of more than three floors. Also, a minimum bid is no longer specified.

Carolyn Misch, director of Planning & Sustainability, said she believes the complicated scoring criteria included in the earlier Requests for Proposals, as well as the high costs of construction, had discouraged potential developers from bidding.

The city seeks bids for the 1.46-acre parcel that formerly was owned by the state and used for the Hampshire County Hall of Records. That vacant, two-story building, which is nearly 50 years old, is expected to be demolished. Profits from the sale will be split with the state.

The redevelopment plan still must include a permanent easement for the public to pass through the property on foot or via non-motorized vehicles to the rail trail at the east side of the site.

The document specifies that the proposal “most advantageous to the City of Northampton” may be selected even if it does not offer the highest purchase price.

The latest Request for Proposals, which is expected to be issued during January, is available here:

https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/24291?fileID=198906

Reparations Commission

Members of the Commission for Study of Reparations on Thursday gave the City Council a preliminary report of its work since it began meeting Aug. 24, 2023. The document refers to a “shared understanding and acknowledgement that Northampton’s history involves slavery, racial discrimination, and systemic racism.”

Among the preliminary recommendations are encouraging engagement by major institutions in the city with its reparation efforts; prioritizing continued police reform; enhancing the work of the Northampton Human Rights Commission; sponsoring an annual Juneteenth festival; renaming or co-naming certain streets; appropriately honoring Northampton’s Black Revolutionary War and Civil War soldiers; and encouraging, assisting and promoting Black-owned businesses.

Commissioners told the City Council that they still have much work to do, including a goal of interviewing 100 members of the Black community. Also, the document states: “The Commission is well aware that a central consideration of reparations is not included in this Preliminary Report … because there is more work to be done, in analysis, findings, conclusions and any recommendation(s) regarding possible government-sponsored (city-sponsored) economic or other direct benefit(s) for individuals or groups.”

The City Council on Nov. 21 approved an extension of the original Oct. 5 deadline for submitting a final report to March 6, 2025.

The preliminary report and its appendix include a variety of documents such as examples of Northampton deeds containing racist restrictive covenants.

The commission was established last year 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 preliminary report is available here:

https://northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28466/24176-NRSC-Preliminary-Report

The appendix is available here:

https://northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28467/24176-NRSC-Appendix

The commission’s website is at:

https://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

Share the Warmth Drive

The city’s Department of Health & Human Services is sponsoring a Share the Warmth Drive through Friday, Dec. 20, to support people who need warm clothing and shelter during the winter.

Suggested donations include tents, sleeping bags, pants, boots, coats, gloves, winter hats, socks, 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.

Stan