[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6193543,"mediaKeyId","3866844-314dc5df49c000f9faf1f453d56b5cbe","parentId",3866844,"title","Council agrees to fund up to $25,000 for Northampton Public Schools superintendent search","audioSeconds",30,"startMs",9997000,"endMs",10027000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3866844-314dc5df49c000f9faf1f453d56b5cbe&start=9997&end=10027","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3866844-314dc5df49c000f9faf1f453d56b5cbe/thumbnail_9997000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6193543/Massachusetts/Council-agrees-to-fund-up-to-25000-for-Northampton-Public-Schools-superintendent-search","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193543-fda80f1c08ad89bf93ef210cf6ebeb0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179432&Signature=mIWgnYuVNjPj12GkvIosWRZWl6JMpU2ljtYh-pZYD5Mz-MI5kKgTLAiRrCWDocd1JqmlKkCERqv5UE8U-C~E2d~7ziAjmOayFh9kZswXawqp~QoQI-PC0mK~PZ-oDl7Amv31OYHLPAKLbBbEbjC72mADWDhoXQ4ukpVG78al9PiQtKEoRCZRxKbyFowozhIzZQmV6kfJSBGcxu7A07Ris2AQ3cCeTyuj10I9LaTb6jrFv6AfOQwKn~HU-O~7lYO0VT6rQrUu6bB4Loljyd7GRtYWyf15Oya9~eDMcnIroqQ3fS9BQmUS~vkLsqJ7sH~5KNJcLQFJ5HIVxFN9tLOqhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton City, MA","date","2025-06-19T02:42:38Z","article","The Council on June 18 voted to appropriate up to $25,000 from free cash to help fund the Northampton Public Schools superintendent search planned for the 2025-26 school year. The mayor and school committee told the council the outgoing superintendent's last day will be June 30, 2026, and the district expects to begin the formal search process with a discussion at the school committee's August meeting.

Why it matters: Superintendent searches typically require professional recruitment services, advertising and community engagement. School committee members estimated recent searches cost in the tens of thousands; the council approved a $25,000 appropriation to alleviate pressure on the district's operating budget and cover search costs including consultant fees or advertising.

Next steps: The school committee plans a public discussion and timeline in August. The city's appropriation will be available to the school department to contract for search services and related outreach. Councilors said $25,000 approximates prior search costs and asked staff to report back on use of funds following procurement.

Ending: The appropriation passed unanimously after the council suspended rules to permit a same-night vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northampton City Council | June 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved a $25,000 free-cash appropriation to help the school district conduct a superintendent search for a transition set for June 30, 2026; the mayor and school committee will work on search timelines and procurement.","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},6193548,"Council approves nine Community Preservation Act funding recommendations, including playgrounds and accessibility projects",5498,4894000,10392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3866844-314dc5df49c000f9faf1f453d56b5cbe&start=4894&end=10392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3866844-314dc5df49c000f9faf1f453d56b5cbe/thumbnail_4894000.jpg","/articles/6193548/Massachusetts/Council-approves-nine-Community-Preservation-Act-funding-recommendations-including-playgrounds-and-accessibility-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193548-ae824bb0744c6830eb0c1861ff101736/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179432&Signature=dFxiwSNwDPNcrRqpVSW0Ud8Zbj2tkv-tQ-hRoTw9Bzwl2zzUllrVkeFwLpLZJJrkSjswrDbkztEJubxQLuCHi~ZxEQipSTSTDj97YgmfVobXT9mqi2hY9OC-ClA-66UNzLpi1PNwaZAP-iySPw7EKu2i4qPxFr4UwNe8FbneIGYJovW2FHyEV~RzADQbNd85pI6znNEKCUB2d9A-WMfCGIgX7AHh0wUOufSvJeZ4Zqkj8OVaNPXf~eNrf-YYoL2P3~fNNdNtzlmqk88K93TvOo5gxkU~BA0Z-FmUegld0OGup9jnaNRvDpX~Be9AidS4tGiMtot8L8zSyoHKu9lNhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on June 18 unanimously approved nine recommendations under the Community Preservation Act (CPA). The package included funding allocations for play-area improvements, historic-preservation work and accessibility upgrades at local facilities.

Projects discussed at the council's finance committee and moved to the full council included the Ryan Road accessible playground (groundbreaking noted during committee), the Leeds School playground and several accessibility upgrades including work at 148 South Street and the Ruggles Center. Councilors and speakers praised the projects for improving access and public programming; several members of the council asked staff to provide details on outstanding CPA debt service related to prior loans used to finance playgrounds.

Why it matters: CPA funds support open-space, historic and community housing projects and provide a local funding source for capital improvements that add public value. Councilors noted the benefits for communities with limited mobility and for neighborhood recreation.

Next steps: The CPA-funded projects will proceed with the allocations approved; staff will provide follow-up information to council on outstanding CPA loan balances and timing for project implementation.","Council reviewed and approved nine CPA funding recommendations covering playgrounds, historic preservation, accessibility upgrades and flood resilience; councilors highlighted Ryan Road and Leeds playground projects and other community investments.",{"_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},6193553,"Council approves $355,850 from parking receipts to replace downtown garage parking system",229,9492000,9721000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3866844-314dc5df49c000f9faf1f453d56b5cbe&start=9492&end=9721","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3866844-314dc5df49c000f9faf1f453d56b5cbe/thumbnail_9492000.jpg","/articles/6193553/Massachusetts/Council-approves-355850-from-parking-receipts-to-replace-downtown-garage-parking-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193553-f02932daa0589551f7c70a6340f2ce4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179432&Signature=AC98aXo14JD0uJPq-hpLR7n-4KaJ-nuuwsR8KMFKO0c2BpNBM4qrqNKI04K5~YXyuEqcahMsYTAwjFImh0FwEh7akl-oIJGUGb4GTfqbTh8BbRAZCOLCMo5pWZvtYgKZUiP27buCrMug2Zpxfcr0I2J-EFwjWZ-lyJReyrcrwjye0x0qjgMERzEupY-FRW7i7zlUigJsYUtt8emJpy6yyMDLWIb7hho8mPcbmFLZoc37YyT~bhf~x9Ov8ju13QwtDsZ9qr4SFgqUfCA8V6y4bgRahHMGV8tf4-6CgIaoVFVfJv9KwAHkGXGIEadqD08bwrM90S3VzBDg83UZJUXCnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted 8-1 on June 18 to appropriate $355,850 from parking receipts reserved for appropriation to replace the parking system in the EJ Gehr III downtown garage.

Central Services staff told council the garage system was installed in 2014 and the vendor recommends replacement every eight to 10 years. Credit-card readers have become obsolete and parts are no longer available; only two of the garage's four card readers were reported to be functioning. A failed bill acceptor could leave the garage without a working payment mechanism.

The replacement project was accelerated from a fiscal year 2028 capital plan item due to the equipment failures. Central Services contracted with a design firm to develop specifications and cost estimates; the appropriation includes a 10% contingency. Staff noted as an operational benefit that the new system will be compatible with ParkMobile, the city's mobile parking payment vendor.

Councilor Rothenberg cast the lone no vote; the motion otherwise passed with eight yes votes. Central Services said the project will be procured promptly; parking receipts reserved for appropriation will cover the cost.","Council voted 8-1 to appropriate $355,850 from parking receipts to replace the EJ Gehr III parking garage system, citing obsolete credit-card readers and failing bill acceptors; new system will support ParkMobile integration.",{"_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},6193558,"Northampton Reparations Study Commission delivers draft recommendations, asks council to create permanent implementation body",705,5585000,6290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3866844-314dc5df49c000f9faf1f453d56b5cbe&start=5585&end=6290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3866844-314dc5df49c000f9faf1f453d56b5cbe/thumbnail_5585000.jpg","/articles/6193558/Massachusetts/Northampton-Reparations-Study-Commission-delivers-draft-recommendations-asks-council-to-create-permanent-implementation-body","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193558-dfc228bde675016c4fbbe27750bf0769/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179432&Signature=PTaeMjec0Pq0isqx3g1GmUIPgyCwYH1VAe3MAafZO3PkR~RtZOB8AtqN0K0TNAoEeYdLIL-K~-YX8oM8fSnS9Nd21D9C9h5IDzAFPCMnNlpXJgpmOnurrQsLy-q1ZZdpbZ0Pi4d6jRnxBwMIoW4cRfZFydE5RIYIWUuKb3FA4J-LIkMRkFROFdbkedt0atf5rVovgRR6NQv~PoCAnLfwVTdjQjEgtUPbe4GsCH2IOUGig7NyE1TH5nsoKxAzfd-9mu9MILM3FNlRtUGLktZnYULxzn0mxBbz3JP3~-r-i6IaRWWEJ45LugZzbcLCll0so5lhTtZdWeIx54lpzB-I1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton Reparations Study Commission presented its draft report to the City Council on June 18, urging the council to create both a reparations reserve account and a permanent body to implement recommendations and continue outreach. Chair Usman Power Green said the commission's work — which included public events, interviews and a community survey with more than 400 participants — surfaced priorities around education, housing equity and police oversight.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the report is a beginning, not an end. They recommended the council fund ongoing work, create a reserve account to ensure predictable funding for reparative measures, and support state and federal studies on reparations (they cited Massachusetts Senate bill S1181 and U.S. House bill H.R.40 as measures they support).

Commissioners described a timeline of engagement dating to August 2023, enumerating surveys, documentary screenings, faith-based listening sessions and interviews. Usman Power Green and other commissioners said the public engagement effort found interest in both near-term tangible steps (homeowner assistance, housing equity measures, improved police oversight) and longer-term truth-telling and memorialization work.

Contestation within the commission: Several commissioners and public speakers urged more time and more outreach to Black residents; Commissioner Marsha Morris said the preliminary report lacked a robust policing section and an executive summary and called for edits. Other commissioners countered that the report reflected substantial community input and that a majority of commissioners voted to forward the draft to council while requesting an extension of the commission's work for another year.

Next steps: The commission formally requested a one-year extension of its term and funds to continue its work; the council placed the extension request on the July 10 agenda. Commissioners also asked the council to consider creating a standing implementation body (for example, a council-level reparations committee) to carry recommendations forward and ensure accountability.

Ending: Commissioners emphasized that reparations should be sustained municipal work that extends beyond a single study commission and recommended structural steps — funding, a permanent implementation body and continued community engagement — as the path forward.","After nearly two years of research and community engagement, the Northampton Reparations Study Commission presented a draft report and recommended a one-year extension and the creation of a reserve account and permanent implementation body to carry forward reparative actions.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6193563,"Northampton council approves amended FY26 budget after tense debate over school funding and staffing",2739,2946000,5685000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3866844-314dc5df49c000f9faf1f453d56b5cbe&start=2946&end=5685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3866844-314dc5df49c000f9faf1f453d56b5cbe/thumbnail_2946000.jpg","/articles/6193563/Massachusetts/Northampton-council-approves-amended-FY26-budget-after-tense-debate-over-school-funding-and-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193563-733af19d29a2e9cf5a34e8b93e785162/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179432&Signature=b0FiSt8EZ~Cc5MAGTtOREdmZHRZvCIIZ2IlRK6nhngOYE6miVAzHmRx-ZS9opwCs9~Z7lORSj-VS2nqHj3XD4B-aKW4KAPA6XKV27JH2OILAAkj32e5SjIs1ro4iBPTvVUcT5myOtjvUGFHZEGEOeEDSDhpH07yo7eZP-bdSH6x9SRQegqZtqwdhoAe9dEYkFIjusTW9n8o7M1QmOZ9nYRmpZxqQD4Nn4dozxtiKMQH4SVi~jmyoS60pvwGySfNAIA-vYQ4RE7x-1bn0tERgHLXIG7pJoL9sgNICnDQQ7kkc3Mz8i7izyH3V6AwShaAAboPrkD-RXCSWjeCm5Hx6RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Northampton City Council on June 18 approved an amendment to the fiscal year 2026 budget that increases Northampton Public Schools funding by $116,711 and accepted $101,000 freed inside the district's IT budget to hire teachers and restore an elementary garden program, but councilors failed to adopt the full budget by the required two-thirds majority, leaving uncertainty about final budget changes.

The amendment, offered after the Massachusetts Senate released its budget with $116,711 more in unrestricted local aid than the House proposal used to build the mayor's original budget, passed after the council suspended rules to allow a same-night vote. City staff said the council would \"take on $49,000 more in risk\" because charter tuition assessments also rose in the Senate draft. Separately, the city chief information staff identified $101,000 of one-time savings inside school IT lines that the school committee authorized to be reallocated, bringing the total new school resources to $270,711.

Why it matters: Public commenters filled nearly one hour of the meeting urging the council to restore proposed cuts and approve a stronger school budget. Speakers — parents, paraeducators and students — said they feared staffing reductions would leave special education supports and intervention services insufficient and worsen declines in enrollment.

Council debate focused on two lines of concern: how to fund ongoing school staff versus one-time needs, and the city's longer-term fiscal posture. Supporters of the amended budget said the added funds and the internal IT reallocation would allow the superintendent to hire two additional high school teachers and reinstate an elementary garden program. Opponents said the council was still far short of the school committee's \"strong\" budget and warned that adopting permanent increases without sustainable revenue (for example via an override) could imperil future budgets.

What happened in the meeting: After public comment, councilors discussed and adopted the mayor's recommended amendment moving the Senate's $116,711 into the Northampton Public Schools account. Council then voted to adopt the general fund budget in two parts (to accommodate a councilor's recusal). Both halves individually passed by majority votes, but a final roll-call to approve the entire general fund budget failed to reach the two-thirds threshold the council requires for final adoption. Councilors then approved several enterprise and revolving funds and a set of end-of-year transfers, and the mayor noted that, per a written opinion from the city solicitor, mayoral-proposed budget amendments included on the record would become part of the mayor's budget and take effect if the council did not enact an alternative by July 1.

Notable figures and positions: President Alex Jarrett (presiding) introduced and guided budget items. Councilors Rachel Maiori, Moulton, Elkins, Perry, LaBarge and others debated specifics; Councilor Dobbs and Councilor Rothenberg voiced prominent no votes on the final adoption. The mayor (not named in the transcript) explained the sources of added funds and the choice to reallocate IT savings.

Details and next steps: The mayor's office said the $101,000 in IT savings came from 11 line items in the school IT budget, including removal of canceled services, cost reductions resulting from a newly negotiated citywide phone contract, postponement of some purchases and consolidation of redundant internet connections. If the state's final budget does not include the Senate's higher figure, the city said it would cover any shortfall and make necessary midyear adjustments to remain balanced.

The council also approved a set of fiscal year 2025 end-of-year transfers (including to the Other Post-Employment Benefits trust) and voted to move forward on cash capital projects and enterprise fund budgets. Councilors urged continued work with the school committee on a multi-year strategy to stabilize staffing and attract or retain students.

Ending note: The council scheduled further budget work for its July meetings; if the council cannot pass a different balanced budget by the statutory deadline, the mayor's budget and the administrative interpretations described by the city solicitor would determine the fiscal year's starting allocations.","City council amended the mayor's FY26 budget to add $116,711 tied to the state senate's proposal and accepted $101,000 of reallocated school IT funds; the full adoption of the budget failed on a supermajority vote, leaving the mayor's version to take effect if council does not pass a revised order before July 1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council agrees to fund up to $25,000 for Northampton Public Schools superintendent search

Council approves nine Community Preservation Act funding recommendations, including playgrounds and accessibility projects

Council approves $355,850 from parking receipts to replace downtown garage parking system

Northampton Reparations Study Commission delivers draft recommendations, asks council to create permanent implementation body

Northampton council approves amended FY26 budget after tense debate over school funding and staffing