Northampton approves $152.5 million FY2027 budget with school funding held at current level. The City Council voted 7-2 to adopt a $136.2 million General Fund budget plus $16.3 million in enterprise funds, drawing $1.9 million from reserves. Councilors Christopher Stratton and Meg Robbins opposed,
The Northampton Urban Forestry Commission reviewed spring tree planting results and volunteer maintenance efforts. Commission members reported 24 trees planted at JFK in spring 2026 with Mayor and City Council participation.
School Committee urges City Council to increase school funding authority. The Northampton School Committee voted 7-1 to recommend that the City Council adopt Chapter 329 of the Acts of 1987, which would allow the Council to increase school budgets with a two-thirds majority vote. Member Michael
Northampton forestry panel refers email coordination to counsel over open meeting law concerns. The Urban Forestry Commission approved its April 15 minutes 4-0 and heard the chair report the city's Tree City USA Growth Award recognition, with a ceremony set for June 16 at Forest Park.
Northampton's Finance Committee split on a recommendation for the $152 million fiscal 2027 general fund budget, sending it to the full City Council Thursday without consensus.
Northampton City Council heard FY27 budget presentations from fire, police, DPW, central services and climate departments, with no vote taken on the spending plan itself.
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.
Northampton reparations panel backs Sojourner Truth Way naming, then loses quorum amid infighting.
Northampton's City Services Committee clashed over appointee interviews, with the chair threatening to seek a member's removal.
Housing Partnership charts dual rent control strategy, eyes August formal position. Vice-Chair Hannah Shaffer and members discussed a statewide ballot initiative seeking to lift Massachusetts' ban on rent control, with 88,000 certified signatures from 124,000 gathered statewide in the first round,
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