[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6213963,"mediaKeyId","3671970-2d5016ac8d1b7404304c4f9951dfebe7","parentId",3671970,"title","Votes at a glance: finance committee closes FY26 budget hearing, issues positive recommendation","audioSeconds",254,"startMs",5189940,"endMs",5443940,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671970-2d5016ac8d1b7404304c4f9951dfebe7&start=5189&end=5443","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671970-2d5016ac8d1b7404304c4f9951dfebe7/thumbnail_5189940.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6213963/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-finance-committee-closes-FY26-budget-hearing-issues-positive-recommendation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213963-e039cb4812912b54f5e0b65dca4ab970/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758201&Signature=f0AndrmXjnz9aH9mq6UBI~ABIw8qaDVkTvquF-Sm-pLe9GeorMkmhvUJ6ltDLqPEan0MlknO0rSvHc0O3MvePoNebN62wAXkOZknu-2uuVBi0xHZAs~RWNqq78FuWDc5E-JTR4sj~WDV124kW-P0aecO1Zu5CEp0YQ7zg~Gcrucep2y6UKjzP-dQ7V9-YXlizZj-u2CpgDvAjhrFXBAT0sSBmaNpRPxE1AuQ4oY1mnwLICie~ml6rhe6RPpq2JXdghxr29FEvxJsDCu15-z-BbfDFY26HtbpwaKuTX36vmwiBkykUNrkz3ouHlDL2MgMhH0r-m0WMg7i0Uu9ZffX3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton City, MA","date","2025-06-05T00:11:33Z","article","Several formal motions and roll‑call votes were recorded at the conclusion of the FY26 budget hearings and the finance committee meeting.

Close public hearing

- Motion: \"Move to close the public hearing.\"
- Mover: Councilor Moulton; Second: Councilor LaBarge.
- Recorded roll call on that motion (sample from transcript): Councilor Maiori — Yes; Councilor Moulton — Yes; Councilor Elkins — Yes; Councilor LaBarge — Yes. The motion carried.

Positive recommendation on FY26 budget orders

- Motion: Positive recommendation on the general fund and five enterprise orders (water, sewer, stormwater, solid waste, revolving funds).
- Mover: Councilor Elkins (moved positive recommendations); Second: Councilor Moulton (second recorded elsewhere).
- Recorded roll call excerpts: Councilor Moulton — Yes; Councilor Elkins — Yes; Councilor LaBarge — Yes; Councilor Maiori — No. The committee reported the motion passed with a positive recommendation and planned a fuller council discussion the following evening.

Adjournment votes

- Motion to adjourn the finance committee and then the full council were moved and seconded; roll calls were recorded and the motions passed. Transcript excerpts show multiple councilors voting Yes during the final roll calls (for example: Councilor Dobbs — Yes; Councilor Elkins — Yes; Councilor Jarrett — Yes; Councilor Klemmer — Yes; Councilor LaBarge — Yes; Councilor Maiori — Yes; Councilor Moulton — Yes). One councilor (Mayuri) recorded a No on the positive recommendation vote.

Why it matters: the finance committee’s positive recommendation advances the FY26 budget to the full council for final consideration. The votes recorded in the hearing set the committee’s recommendation and schedule for the subsequent council meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","FY 2026 Budget Hearing | June 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During the finance committee session the council voted to close the FY26 budget public hearing, issued a positive recommendation on the FY26 budget orders, and adjourned both the finance committee and full council; recorded roll calls are summarized below.","taxTitle","Northampton City, Hampshire County, Massachusetts","taxId",68541,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6213969,"CAPA reports decarbonization plan, grant‑funded municipal projects and new energy‑advocate role",894,2855955,3750615,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671970-2d5016ac8d1b7404304c4f9951dfebe7&start=2855&end=3750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671970-2d5016ac8d1b7404304c4f9951dfebe7/thumbnail_2855955.jpg","/articles/6213969/Massachusetts/CAPA-reports-decarbonization-plan-grantfunded-municipal-projects-and-new-energyadvocate-role","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213969-98fd665217d3ef810a914f047aa6940c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758201&Signature=LLzeH~wyxKkBOypIpNJxStRt3rDy66T3mbgzHchEH6W8TH~~4AcmffpXbQsMc1eUxwXli~qhFUWUpMgzi8WX~0-7A2bLCwu4rvWQ5nH4wk9EznzchO6eiaA64dakrGR6pvFypXoBRpIoMy3UpLTNiyag88M-QITk5Vpyst7n-28F4agL2TW4eQLAL91JH9M3p8cQq7NdInVQRuQy7b-fPP7goTeS7FpQL7dQxPBZBTBmHgSMQvSSlPzb33cRf7-CClUMVjgdHMulu1CwJqVo8GiU4VDDnlLIXliUuektrz0z80Wx51sy6~~O7d1Gz7-Z4CFCN9nw~J1buyHhEAp7qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ben Weil, director of the Climate Action and Project Administration (CAPA) department, told the council that CAPA's decarbonization plan is nearing final approval and that the plan is a requirement for access to larger Green Communities grants.

\"The decarbonization plan really did require me and an engineering firm going to almost every single building and, and analyzing it and coming up with a plan,\" Weil said, describing the plan as the foundation for future municipal projects.

Weil summarized FY25 municipal and citywide projects, saying most capital outlays were paid by grants, utility incentives or on‑bill repayment structures rather than direct city funding. He described on‑bill repayment and utility incentives as mechanisms that can make many projects cash‑flow positive immediately and noted an example in which a lighting upgrade produced roughly $36,500 in positive cash flow over a short period.

Key program items and funding approaches

- Leeds Elementary: boilers installed; remaining connections and work to proceed after the school year ends. CAPA used grant funding and utility incentives to leverage municipal capital investments.

- On‑bill repayment: Weil described projects that use expected energy savings to repay upfront costs through utility programs (0% loan structures in some cases), allowing immediate positive cash flow in municipal budgets.

- Motor pool and fleet electrification: CAPA is developing a motor pool, adding e‑bikes and preparing DC fast chargers to support higher‑rotation electric vehicles and municipal EVs.

- Community partnerships and energy advocacy: CAPA secured a three‑year Community First Partnership grant in collaboration with neighboring towns; the funded energy advocate will act as a concierge to help businesses, landlords and residents access incentives and coordinate complex efficiency or electrification projects.

- Energy coaching and residential decarbonization: CAPA said it will support volunteer energy coaches and coordinate with Electrify East Hampton Northampton and MassCEC contractors to guide residents through weatherization and heat‑pump projects. Weil emphasized weatherization as the most cost‑effective residential decarbonization measure.

Councilors and public reaction

Tom Bassett thanked Weil for coordinated work and asked for more detail on the energy‑coaching program; Weil said coaches will act as owner's agents to review contractor proposals and improve outcomes and cost effectiveness for residents. Eric Broadbent and Denise Lolo praised CAPA's results and urged continued focus on larger resilience and flood‑adaptation projects.

Why it matters: CAPA's work seeks to reduce municipal energy use, secure external funding, and lower long‑term costs for the city. The department's approach emphasizes leveraging grant dollars, utility incentives and revenue‑neutral financing to advance upgrades with short payback periods.

Next steps

Weil said the department will continue to pursue larger projects (including potential geothermal bores tied to federal tax credits), expand public charging and continue municipal retrofits while increasing outreach to residents and businesses.","The Climate Action and Project Administration (CAPA) director summarized the department's first full year: a decarbonization plan pending NESC action, multiple grant‑funded municipal projects (including Leeds Elementary boiler replacement and lighting retrofits), an energy‑advocate hire, and pilot motor‑pool electrification work.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6213973,"Central services director McCarthy to retire after long city tenure; department maintains city and school buildings",174,2451655,2625885,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671970-2d5016ac8d1b7404304c4f9951dfebe7&start=2451&end=2625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671970-2d5016ac8d1b7404304c4f9951dfebe7/thumbnail_2451655.jpg","/articles/6213973/Massachusetts/Central-services-director-McCarthy-to-retire-after-long-city-tenure-department-maintains-city-and-school-buildings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213973-94a6c076bb55302366be5b769369c91a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758201&Signature=FZ2lHB-FDxVcqNBptHKin6AQh4h5jyv6gRzUpTE3sPR~zLGamDJ4O6xx801apSjMx21VC8xkHTSs45qxaG426sH6Xbsi8MN~I0rg71LRoowVK84RDru9k~5qQDwkR7uoHMoNi2MtiYmXFf4B54pqE3ktxH1NDphqLnl2k6RFJuEbv7FihPp6LHRkv7hK8np7S4b9pO09hNFUzqld-FG16hqQsMHVtHt8ooRl7CcJPpOLXfXrOyJWEyrRuDbZlt~bWJeQewZji6O3XuQxsnSAJ4jQs7q3z75lQ8s~4HyDmhynL3Hwl0Zr95dUjEepGZj~~A8T5Py5p9DeWzaqhIrLOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pat McCarthy, director of Central Services, told the council the department manages building maintenance, HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, security, fire detection, custodial services, renovations and capital programs across city and school facilities.

\"Central services maintains about ... facilities in 29 buildings in the city,\" McCarthy said, listing City Hall, the municipal building, Memorial Hall, the police and fire stations, the senior center, the James House, Academy of Music, six schools and the Gothic Street parking structure.

McCarthy said the department coordinates maintenance and upgrades including street‑lighting projects and a slate of capital projects in varying stages of progress for FY25 and FY26.

During the hearing councilors publicly thanked McCarthy for his service; several noted he is retiring at the end of the month after roughly 25 years working for the city in various capacities. Councilors praised his responsiveness to constituent issues and his role in capital planning and facility projects.

Why it matters: Central Services is responsible for health, safety and accessibility in public buildings used by residents and city operations. Leadership changes in that office will affect capital project continuity and building maintenance workflows.

Context and next steps

McCarthy said the department uses a roster of architectural consultants (the \"house doctor\" list) to accelerate design work on capital projects and that a modest budget line for architectural services remains useful to start and advance projects quickly. Councilors asked whether the department still needs outside architecture funding; McCarthy said a limited amount remains helpful to bridge gaps when projects are scoped.

Councilors and staff plan to address transition steps during the director’s final weeks and to ensure ongoing capital projects have procurement and contract support during the staffing change.","Pat McCarthy, director of central services, presented department responsibilities and said he will retire at month’s end; the division oversees maintenance and capital projects for 29 city and school buildings, and councilors thanked him for long service.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6213978,"Northampton DPW warns staffing shortages, aging infrastructure strain snow response and water systems",968,80,969065,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671970-2d5016ac8d1b7404304c4f9951dfebe7&start=0&end=969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671970-2d5016ac8d1b7404304c4f9951dfebe7/thumbnail_80.jpg","/articles/6213978/Massachusetts/Northampton-DPW-warns-staffing-shortages-aging-infrastructure-strain-snow-response-and-water-systems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213978-74c14748120472069a7765999f56b015/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758201&Signature=VHyO1FgNQsdQ38aogXFUte-OAbbRBRR-Pd1yzNwwbndl~KIx1GZPW8Fg5BeqBMq7SYHlHIM4Bw8pkd66B8J9zFfZmpLEktoiahDepQt4-63RR~2iuHwM-Yn8AOd17cHK9mNhlUDLa0yJFC~AVl8t63tkWPDeKoU8mBKSaqPMb~g18YjXH5PO1ApF9p~~rFmRw5K76ryZLtIHQiIwR~5rbIlGjGa01Ymn70d-qGpaXstLZ-wIj9vjAzZIefL0iQeZ~rAzstls-RVHYLszi774W5ouFRee1dQ9v0LRfvKedF8idO6rwFHjouVbdw3Qu0uwrLgPRszTXYsvNw11u4yENw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leslie (DPW director) told the City Council finance hearing that the Department of Public Works needs more than 70 employees to meet ideal snow‑clearance mobilization and that current vacancies are straining operations.

\"More than 70 employees to clear snow from across the city. So we have to ensure we have staffing,\" Leslie said, adding that vacancies increase pressure on remaining staff and raise safety risks during multi‑day storms.

The director said the city is running about 2.5 million gallons per day through its water treatment plant, down from nearly 3 million after Coca‑Cola reduced operations, and that the wastewater treatment plant treats roughly 5 million gallons a day in normal conditions but can surge to more than 17 million gallons during heavy rain events. Those high flows, she said, illustrate why the city is completing a multi‑phase upgrade to the wastewater plant.

\"The $20,000,000 upgrade project that's ongoing right now . . . seeks to give us greater elasticity in our operation,\" Leslie said, noting Phase 1 cost about $11 million and Phase 2 is well under way with substantial completion expected around the holidays if schedules hold.

Why it matters: the DPW director tied personnel and equipment shortfalls to public‑safety and public‑health risks — heavy equipment operators need to be rested and redundant machines are necessary when chain‑of‑operations assets fail — and to predictable but costly infrastructure events such as water‑main breaks.

Key details presented at the hearing

- Staffing: Leslie said the department currently has 24 full‑time vacancies and eight seasonal vacancies across divisions, with variation week to week because of retirements and resignations. She described the vacancies as a driver for higher overtime, greater contractor reliance and operational fatigue among remaining staff.

- Snow and sidewalk equipment: the city has two sidewalk tractors; one is newer and typically used for primary service and the older unit is maintained as a backup. Both are expected to be operable by next winter, and the director said running two tractors consistently depends on restoring staffing levels.

- Water and wastewater: the treatment plant is permitted and regulated by state (DEP) and federal (EPA) authorities, and the city said it remains in compliance with permits. The director said Coca‑Cola's local decrease in production has reduced daily flows and that the company has reported a full departure by the end of the year. She emphasized capital needs remain regardless of the customer mix.

- Breaks and repair costs: the director said water main breaks cost roughly $25,000–$30,000 each and recounted a run of about seven breaks starting at Christmas that created significant expense.

- Stormwater and flood control: the stormwater utility funds maintenance of roughly 20 miles of drain pipe, about 5,000 catch basins, 350 outfalls and 150 culverts, plus two levee systems and the Hockenham Road flood control station. The director estimated roughly $10 million to upgrade several aging flood‑control engines. She said the FEMA BRIC program the city had considered for funds was canceled nationally and the city is exploring alternatives.

- Solid waste: transfer‑station permit sales have declined from just over 3,300 in FY21 to 2,797 year‑to‑date for FY25. Disposal and recycling markets are volatile; the director said trash disposal ranged from about $79.13 per ton in 2019 to $113.58 per ton last year, and recyclables no longer generate revenue in current markets.

- Budget posture: for FY26 the DPW submitted level‑funded enterprise budgets for water and sewer and said base usage rates remain unchanged. The department again plans to use retained earnings in the solid‑waste enterprise to balance the budget and said that practice is unsustainable long term.

Public comment and council questions

- Ace Taylor (Ward 3) asked about hiring incentives such as offering CDL training linked to service commitments. Leslie said Massachusetts changed the rules for in‑house CDL training and that the department is addressing vacancies through collective bargaining; it has a tentative agreement to post and is conducting interviews.

- Tom Bassett (Ward 7) urged hiring that supports Tree Northampton volunteers; the director said Forestry, Parks & Cemeteries staff provide that support and the division is also affected by vacancies.

- Councilors pressed about sidewalk tractors, signal maintenance and engineering‑staff shortages. The director said older traffic signals can require less technical troubleshooting than newer, computer‑driven controllers, and estimated a realistic annual signal‑maintenance budget in the $75,000–$100,000 range. For engineering staff she cited competition with the private sector and said a registered professional engineer in the private market can command substantially higher pay than municipal budgets typically allow.

Context and next steps

Leslie said the wastewater plant Phase 2 upgrades are intended to automate manual processes and provide equipment redundancy to handle growing extreme‑weather flows. She also said an announcement of the capital paving and sidewalk schedule is expected by the end of the month after coordination with contractors. The stormwater utility assessment completed in late 2023 recommended fee increases to align revenues with capital needs; city leaders said they continue to discuss how to balance rate stability with capital requirements.

The presentation included recognition of the DPW's tree‑planting work: the director said the city has planted more than 2,000 trees since 2016 and has been named Tree City USA for consecutive years.","At a city budget hearing, the Department of Public Works director said vacancies and aging equipment are increasing operational risk for snow response, water and wastewater service, and stormwater/flood control; a $20 million wastewater upgrade is under way and stormwater pump replacements carry a roughly $10 million estimate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: finance committee closes FY26 budget hearing, issues positive recommendation

CAPA reports decarbonization plan, grant‑funded municipal projects and new energy‑advocate role

Central services director McCarthy to retire after long city tenure; department maintains city and school buildings

Northampton DPW warns staffing shortages, aging infrastructure strain snow response and water systems