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A collection of 141 issues

City Council approves $152.5 million FY2027 budget amid school funding debate

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,

School Committee votes to recommend Chapter 329 adoption

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

Council closes FY2027 budget hearing after hearing personnel and infrastructure demands

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.

Housing Partnership advances rent control organizing and plans trust fund revival.

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,

City Council opens FY2027 budget hearing amid school funding dispute

City Council opens FY2027 budget hearing amid school funding debate. The Northampton City Council opened its public hearing on FY2027 budgets May 27 with presentations from the Information Technology Services Department, Health and Human Services Department requesting $1,531,675, and Northampton