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Commission shifts Valley Green Energy accounts to cut costs

Northampton Energy and Sustainability Commission unanimously approves shift in Valley Green Energy billing. Ben Weil moved to automatically shift all Valley Green Energy standard accounts to the lower-cost Basic option, citing a renewable energy certificate shortage that triggered costly

Disability Commission plans Pride Month events, reviews accessibility priorities

The Northampton Disability Commission plans Disability Pride Month 2026 events and reviews city accessibility priorities. Chair Amy Sugihara led the meeting as the commission discussed scheduling story hours at Forbes and Lilly libraries and arranging interpreter services for summer events. The

Finance Committee convenes budget listening session for FY2027

Finance Committee holds FY2027 budget listening session with community input on priorities. Councilor Deborah Klemer, chair, outlined the statutory timeline: the mayor must submit the proposed budget by May 15, 2026, and the City Council must vote within 45 days for a July 1 effective date.

Arts Council Elects Ari Banias as Poet Laureate

Arts Council elects Ari Banias as Northampton's new Poet Laureate. Kelsey Socha-Bishop nominated Banias, and council members voted 11 to 1 in favor, with one abstention. The council also discussed reviving a youth poet laureate program and indicated it will revisit that initiative at the next

Michael Stein elected Budget subcommittee chair

Northampton schools elect Michael Stein chair of Budget subcommittee. Stein won a 2-1 vote, with Member Robbie Saner Sullivan voting against after discussion of collaboration between the subcommittee, Superintendent, and Finance Committee. Business Administrator Jones presented the FY26 monthly