Ward 1 Newsletter (08/19/24): Cooke Avenue at Hatfield Street
The City Council on Thursday approved installing a temporary all-way stop at the intersection of Hatfield Street and Cooke Avenue. That order, which was unanimously recommended by the Transportation and Parking Commission on June 18, was introduced to the City Council on July 11 and there were no objections. Department [...]
Ward 1 Newsletter (08/05/24): Override postponed
The City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 5 to remove a $3 million Proposition 2 1/2 general budget override from the Nov. 5 presidential election ballot, postponing it to an unspecified date. Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra recommended the postponement after she learned in late July that the city's revenue was stronger [...]
Ward 1 Newsletter (07/15/24): Cooling centers
Because of the extreme heat forecast through Wednesday, cooling centers will be open in several locations throughout Northampton for the next three days. The National Weather Service has declared a heat advisory through 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 17. Hot temperatures and high humidity cause heat-related illnesses to increase significantly. The [...]
Ward 1 Newsletter (06/30/24): Municipal budget
The City Council on June 20 failed to approve the amended municipal budget submitted by Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, which included $40,778,585 for Northampton Public Schools in fiscal year 2025. I joined at-large councilors Marissa Elkins and Garrick Perry, and Deborah Klemer of Ward 2 and Marianne LaBarge of Ward 6 [...]
Ward 1 Newsletter (06/18/24): Cooling centers
Because of the extreme heat forecast through Friday, cooling centers will be open in several locations throughout Northampton for the next four days. The National Weather Service has declared a heat advisory from noon to 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, and an excessive heat watch from noon, Wednesday, June 19, [...]
Ward 1 Newsletter (06/09/24): Municipal budget
Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra announced last week that she is increasing her proposed budget for the Northampton Public Schools by $1.3 million, bringing the total for the fiscal year beginning July 1 to $40,778,585. If approved by the City Council, that would be an increase of more than $3 million, or [...]