The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed Capital Improvement Program at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 2., in the City Council chambers, Wallace J. Puchalski Municipal Building, 212 Main St. There also will be remote participation via Zoom and the link will be included on the meeting agenda posted no later than Dec. 30.

Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra has submitted a plan that calls for spending a total of $103,609,476 during the next five fiscal years through June 30, 2030. That includes $23,178,032 in capital spending during fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1, 2025. Capital projects cost $10,000 or more for uses such as new buildings, renovations, equipment purchases, and land acquisitions.

Major expenses proposed during fiscal year 2026 include $3 million for road safety improvements near Northampton High School with new traffic signals at Elm and North Elm streets and Elm Street and Woodlawn Avenue; and improvements to the Forbes Library, including $840,535 for a new heating, ventilation and cooling system, and $600,000 to renovate the children’s department.

The Capital Improvement Program is available here:

https://northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28956/FY2026-FY2030-Capital-Improvement-Program-PDF

Free cash

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue Division of Local Services on Dec. 17 certified that the city’s free cash for the current fiscal year that began July 1 is $11,657,751. Free cash is unspent money from the last fiscal year combined with higher-than-projected revenues.

That figure includes $1.68 million carried over from last year that will help pay the $3 million cost of road safety improvements near Northampton High School. The free cash total also includes $3.15 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act pandemic-relief funds which is earmarked for underground utility improvements during the Picture Main Street project.

Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra is expected to submit to the City Council for discussion during its next meeting at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 2, a financial order proposing how to use the remaining $6.83 million in free cash. I will support sending it to the council’s Finance Committee, of which I am vice chair, for public input, discussion and recommendations.

The mayor’s statement about the free cash certification is available here:

https://www.northamptonma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1801

Rate change for EV chargers

Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra announced on Dec. 26 a change in how rates are computed at public electric vehicle charging stations in Northampton.

The city on Sept. 30 began charging $1.92 per hour for electricity at charging stations. Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 1, the new rate will be 32 cents per kilowatt hour, which is expected to reduce the cost for most users and is fairer to owners of some older electric vehicles that charge at a lower speed.

The change was made in “response to feedback from charging network users and lower electricity prices” and “is designed to enable the city to cover electricity costs and maintain the charging network while passing on savings to users,” Sciarra stated.

Northampton previously offered free electricity to encourage conversion to electric vehicles. Most municipalities now have converted to a charging fee.

First Night Northampton 2025

The 40th annual First Night Northampton will be held from noon to midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at 23 downtown venues.

Fireworks are scheduled for 6:15 p.m. from the roof of the E.J. Gare Parking Garage. The traditional ball-raising will be held at midnight at the Hotel Northampton.

Information about performances, where to purchase buttons for entry to all events and volunteer opportunities is available on the First Night Northampton website at:

https://www.firstnightnorthampton.org

Warming centers

With the colder weather of winter, the city announces that warm spaces are available at the following municipal buildings when they are open:

  • The Northampton Police Department lobby, 29 Center St., is available 24/7.
  • The Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St., is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
  • Forbes Library, 20 West St., is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Best wishes for a healthy 2025!

Stan