Council closes FY2027 budget hearing after hearing personnel and infrastructure demands
City Council · Meeting of June 2, 2026
Northampton closes FY2027 budget hearing as five departments present staffing and infrastructure demands. Fire Chief Andy Pelis reported 9,240 calls in 2025, with 6,900 medical emergencies, justifying eight new firefighter positions added in 2026; the department remains five short of full strength. Police Chief John D.
Cartledge reported 30,216 calls for service, up 2,200 from 2024, with 605 arrests and a 91 percent detective clearance rate. Director Donna LaScaleia warned that Department of Public Works debt service on wastewater upgrades increased roughly $500,000 over the previous year and will continue climbing for 20 years, calling stabilization-fund transfers unsustainable.
In the full story:
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Source: the City Council meeting of June 2, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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