The City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to refer to its Finance Committee, of which I am vice chair, an order filed by Rachel Maiore of Ward 7 that would give the council authority to increase the school budget over the amount requested by the mayor.

A date has not yet been set for the Finance Committee, which is chaired by Councilor Maiore, to consider a recommendation on the proposal to adopt state legislation contained in the provisions of Chapter 329 of the Acts of 1987.

If both the City Council and mayor approve adoption of the state legislation, under certain circumstances it would permit the council to increase the total amount appropriated for the schools over that requested by the mayor. The School Committee would have to recommend the higher amount, and at least six members of the City Council would have to agree. The legislation also specifies “that no such increase shall be voted if it would render the total annual budget in excess of the property tax limitations set forth” by state law.

Under the city charter, the City Council may only delete or decrease amounts, except expenditures required by law, in the budget proposed by the mayor. The charter states that “except on the recommendation of the mayor, the City Council shall not increase any item in or the total of the proposed operating budget.”

The City Council on May 16, 2024, voted 6-3 against adopting the same legislation. I joined with the majority who said it was then too late in the budget process to consider such a change.

National Public Health Week

The Northampton Department of Health and Human Services will sponsor several events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of national Public Health Week. The theme this year is “It Starts Here!”.

From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, the Division of Community Care will host a seed-starting workshop in its community space at 1 Roundhouse Plaza as part of “Climate Action Starts Here” day. Representatives of Grow Food Northampton will attend.

From 2 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 9, public health nurses at 1 Roundhouse Plaza will offer a free COVID vaccine clinic for people who are immune-compromised or age 65 and older.

From 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 12, city health inspectors will conduct car-seat inspections in lot A at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School at 80 Locust St.

In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services is sponsoring a food drive this month to support the Northampton Survival Center. Donation boxes are at the department’s main office in the Puchalski Municipal Building, 212 Main St.; Senior Center, 67 Conz St.; Forbes Library, 20 West St.; Lilly Library, 19 Meadow St., Florence; Hampshire Regional YMCA, 286 Prospect St.; and Northampton Athletic Club, 306 King St.

A list of the most needed items is available here:

https://www.northamptonsurvival.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Food-drive-items.pdf

Tree planting and Arbor Day

The Northampton Rotary Club will sponsor a day of service planting trees with the Department of Public Works, Northampton Public Schools, Urban Forestry Commission, and volunteers from Tree Northampton from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 12, at JFK Middle School, 100 Bridge Road. The rain date is Sunday, April 13, and the goal is to plant 28 trees.

Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to contact Barbara Devlin at [email protected].

The city will celebrate Arbor Day with its 22nd annual giveaway of tree whips in front of City Hall from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, April 25, and 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 26.

There will be 700 free tree whips (seedlings without branches) for residents to plant on their property to help promote species diversity and the ecological sustainability of Northampton’s urban canopy. Tree Northampton volunteers will provide fact sheets with information about planting and caring for trees from the species available: Eastern Redbud, Paw Paw, American Sweetgum, Dawn Redwood, Winterberry Holly, Serbian Spruce, and Swamp White Oak.

Residents can also improve the city’s tree canopy by requesting a setback tree planting on their property within 20 feet of the public right-of-way. Planting setback trees is encouraged where tree belts are narrow or nonexistent, especially in urban heat island areas. Setback locations provide increased soil volume for roots to grow strong, which promotes healthier trees that live longer.

Setback trees are provided by the city and planted by volunteers. More information is available here:

https://northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13145/Setback-Tri-fold-Brochure-2019

Community Development Block Grants

The city will release its combined draft five-year consolidated plan and 2025 annual action plans for Community Development Block Grants during a public hearing at 6 p.m., Monday, April 14, in the City Hall hearing room, 210 Main St. The plans will describe the city’s community development and housing priorities.

Here is the Zoom link to participate remotely (passcode 125956):

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2577046101

The public is invited to review and comment on the plans. The public comment period will continue for at least 30 days.

Applicants for CDBG funds are not required to attend the meeting. Recipients will be notified after the city receives its annual allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The money is used to support affordable housing; services for people experiencing homelessness; infrastructure; and economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents.

Northampton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center redevelopment

Valley Community Development Corp. offers this update about its project to redevelop the former nursing home at 737 Bridge Road into 60 units of affordable housing:

The redevelopment of 737 Bridge Road is more than halfway through construction with completion targeted for October 2025. All the geothermal wells have been installed, new windows are in and interior work is progressing. This spring, site work will recommence including new orientations of the two driveways on Hatfield Street and Bridge Road.

Also this spring, outreach for leasing apartments will begin. There will be information on Valley CDC’s website (www.valleycdc.org) beginning in May about the application process and the upcoming lottery. Any questions may be sent to project manager Bill Womeldorf at [email protected] or (413) 586-5855 x160.

Stan