CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS
Councilors:
- Marissa Elkins, At-Large
- Jamila Gore, At-Large
- Stanley W. Moulton, III, Ward 1
- Vice President: Karen Foster, Ward 2
- Council President: James Nash, Ward 3
- Garrick M. Perry, Ward 4
- Alex Jarrett, Ward 5
- Marianne L. LaBarge, Ward 6
- Rachel Maiore, Ward 7
Meeting Agenda
On-line Video Conference
Meeting Date: March 31, 2022
Meeting Time: 7 p.m.
The March 31, 2022 City Council meeting will be held by remote participation. The public can follow the council's deliberations by watching the meeting live on Comcast channel 15, live-streaming it on YouTube or joining the virtual meeting by phone or computer. For the active YouTube link, please see Northampton Open Media's website: http://northamptonopenmedia.
Live public comment will be available using telephone call-in or video conferencing technology beginning at 7 p.m.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CALLING IN OR JOINING THE MEETING
PUBLIC MEETING LINK
For telephone call-in, call:
+929 436-2866 US
MEETING ID: 842 7942 3857
PARTICIPANT #: #
PASSCODE: 624540
1.
2.
Announcement that Meeting is Being Audio/Video Recorded
This meeting is being audio and video recorded.
3.
Public Comment
4.
Public Hearings
A.
Announcement of Public Hearing on 22.022 National Grid Pole Petition for One (1) singly-owned (SO) Pole on Ryan Road (Petition #30363546)
Per M.G.L. Ch. 166, Section 22, the Northampton City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 7 p.m. on National Grid's petition to install one singly-owned (SO) pole on Ryan Road (Petition #30363546). Instructions for accessing the hearing may be found on the April 14, 2022 City Council agenda to be posted on the city's website (www.northamptonma.gov) no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting. The City Council will hear all persons who wish to be heard thereon.
B.
Announcement of Public Hearing to Consider Altering the Lay Out of Portions of Parsons Street, Union Street, Pomeroy Terrace, Hawley Street and Holyoke Street
Pursuant to M.G.L Chapter 82, Section 21, either the Northampton City Council or the City Council Committee on Finance (subject to a decision of the City Council at its regular meeting on March 31st) will hold a public hearing by remote participation on Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 7:15 p.m. to consider altering the lay out of Parsons Street, Union Street, Pomeroy Terrace, Hawley Street and Holyoke Street and discontinuing a small portion of Parsons Street. The City Council or the Finance Committee (TBD) will hear any persons interested or wishing to be heard thereon. Instructions for accessing the hearing may be found on the April 14, 2022 City Council agenda or the April 14, 2022 Finance Committee agenda (TBD) to be posted on www.northamptonma.gov/agendacenter no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting.
C.
7:00pm
Public hearing to consider FY 2023 Water and Sewer Rates
The Northampton City Council will hold a public hearing by remote participation on Thursday, March 31, 2022 @ 7 p.m. The City Council will consider the proposed FY2023 water and sewer rates and hear all persons who wish to be heard thereon.
5.
Announcements from Councilors and the Mayor
A.
Update on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
6.
Presentations
7.
Consent Agenda
Rule 4.4.4 There shall be no debate or discussion by any City Council member regarding any item on the Consent Agenda, beyond asking questions for simple clarification.
Rule 4.4.5 Any item may be removed from the Consent Agenda upon the request of any City Council member prior to the taking of a vote on the motion to approve it. All such items will be considered individually, in the order in which they were removed, immediately following consideration of the Consent Agenda.
A.
B.
22.044 An Order to Appropriate $3,000 in CPA Funds for Laurel Park Historic Signage - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to consent agenda - 3/17/2022
NOTE: Scrivener's error referring to 'Leeds Civic Association' instead of 'Laurel Park Association' corrected.
C.
22.059 An Order to Transfer Funds for Health Department Title V Inspections - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to consent agenda - 3/17/2022
D.
22.062 An Order to Establish Water and Sewer Rates for FY2023 - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to consent agenda - 3/17/2022
E.
22.070 Appointment to Conservation Commission - for referral to the City Services Committee
Conservation Commission
Paul Foster-Moore, 147 Turkey Hill Road, Florence
Term: April 2022-June 2025
To fill a vacancy
8.
Financial Orders (on 1st reading)
Rule 2.6.1.1.1 Process. Financial orders will be introduced and discussed at a full City Council meeting and referred to either the consent agenda of a future meeting or the Finance Committee for more public input, discussion and recommendation.
A.
22.064 An Order to Transfer $1,460 from City Council OM to City Council PS - 1st reading
B.
22.065 An Order to Acquire Property Located on Westhampton Road - 1st reading
C.
22.068 An Order to Appropriate Free Cash to Support FY2022 JFK Pool Program - 1st reading
Process note: Two readings are respectfully requested.
D.
22.069 An Order to Authorize Expending Gift Money for Holiday Lights - 1st reading
E.
22.071 An Order to Approve $50,000 from Short Term Rental Impact Fees to Affordable Housing - 1st reading
9.
Financial Orders (on 2nd reading)
10.
Orders
A.
22.066 An Order Authorizing Acquisition of Easements for Alteration of Public Ways for MA Safe Routes to School Program - 1st reading
Process note: The Planning Board positively recommended alteration of the portions of roadway as proposed at its regular meeting on March 24, 2022.
If the council determines that “common convenience and necessity” would be served by the laying out of the way, the council must make the necessary takings to acquire the easements needed for the way.
B.
22.067 An Order to Alter the Layout of Portions of Certain Streets (Parsons Street, Union Street, Pomeroy Terrace, Hawley Street and Holyoke Street) - 1st reading
Process note: The process for the laying out, alteration, relocation and discontinuance of public ways is spelled out in M.G.L. Chapter 82, Section 1. The city solicitor has described the procedure the City Council is to follow based on the steps set forth in this statute.
The council, or an authorized committee thereof, must hold a hearing to adjudicate whether convenience and necessity require the laying out of the way.
11.
Ordinances (Not yet Referred)
Rule 5.2.3 provides that no ordinance shall be voted on by the City Council until it has been considered by the Committee on Legislative Matters.
12.
Ordinances
13.
Zoning Ordinances (Not yet Referred)
Process Note: M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 5 requires the City Council to submit zoning ordinances to the Planning Board for review within 14 days of receipt and for the Planning Board and City Council or a committee designated for that purpose to hold public hearings thereon, together or separately, prior to adoption.
14.
Zoning Ordinances
15.
Resolutions
A.
22.060 A Resolution in Support of H3126, An Act Providing for a Gender Neutral Designation on State Documents and Identifications - 2nd reading
History:
- Introduced and discussed in 1st reading - 3/17/2022
16.
Information Requests (Charter Provision 2-7) and Committee Study Requests
17.
New Business
Rule 4.9 NEW BUSINESS. Any Councilor may introduce any written proposed order, ordinance, or resolution to be considered by the Council at the next meeting, but not to be debated during new business.
18.